Short Answer Plays; Once Upon Four Robbers

Front 1

Topic Sentence

Back 1

I believe that the role of the storyteller and the audience are central to Femi Osofisan's play, Once Upon Four Robbers.

**NIGERIA**

Front 2

Role of storyteller

Back 2

The storyteller begins the play calling the attention of the audience in a call-and-response pattern shouting the traditional introductory formula: "Alo o!" and as usual the audience replies: "Aaalo!" (Soyinka 73).

Front 3

Commentary

Back 3

The role of the storyteller in this first scene is to initiate a traditional call-and-response song that indicates the subject of the ancient and modern tale about to be performed.

Front 4

Role of audience

Back 4

The Role of audience is shown at the end of the play when the storyteller asks who shall win, the robbers or the soldiers

Front 5

Commentary

Back 5

With this radical ending Osofisan casts audience members as active participants, which in turn compels viewers to face the consequences of individual decision making is important outside of the theatre.