Title: Things Fall Apart – A Stage Drama (Chapters 1–12) Adapted from Chinua Achebe's novel
ACT 1: THE RISE AND FALL OF A WARRIOR
Scene 1: The Warrior of Umuofia (Chapter 1)
Characters: Okonkwo, Unoka (flashback), Narrator, Amalinze the Cat (mime), Villagers
1. Narrator: In the proud village of Umuofia, one man rises above all: Okonkwo.
2. Narrator: His fame began the day he wrestled Amalinze the Cat.
3. (Crowd gathers. Wrestling mime begins.)
4. Villager 1: Amalinze has never been defeated in seven years!
5. Villager 2: But Okonkwo fights like a lion!
6. (Okonkwo pins Amalinze. Cheers erupt.)
7. Narrator: The village roars. A new hero is born.
8. Narrator: But within Okonkwo lies fear—the fear of becoming like his father.
9. (Flashback: Unoka playing flute.)
10. Unoka: My son, music brings joy. Wealth fades, but joy remains.
11. Young Okonkwo: I want more than joy! I want respect!
12. Unoka: You chase shadows, my son.
13. Narrator: Unoka died with nothing. Okonkwo vowed never to be like him.
14. Villager 3: Okonkwo is not like his father. He is strength!
15. Okonkwo: I will not live like a failure.
16. Okonkwo: I will climb to the highest rank of our clan.
17. Narrator: And so, he did—through sweat, fists, and fear.
18. Villager 4: May the gods favor Okonkwo!
19. Unoka (echo): Joy, my son. Find joy.
20. (Lights fade as Okonkwo stands center stage, triumphant but brooding.)
Scene 2: A Boy from Mbaino (Chapters 2–3)
Characters: Okonkwo, Ikemefuna, Nwoye, Nwoye’s Mother, Narrator, Villagers
1. Narrator: War loomed. A daughter of Umuofia was murdered by a neighboring clan.
2. Villager: Mbaino must send a sacrifice, or we go to war.
3. Narrator: They chose a boy. His name was Ikemefuna.
4. Ikemefuna: Where are you taking me? I want to go home!
5. Villager: Your fate lies in Umuofia now.
6. Narrator: Okonkwo was told to house the boy until the Oracle decided his fate.
7. Nwoye's Mother: He looks frightened. Shall we feed him?
8. Okonkwo: He must learn to be a man. No softness.
9. Nwoye: What is your name?
10. Ikemefuna: Ikemefuna. I come from Mbaino.
11. Narrator: In time, he called Okonkwo father, and Okonkwo, in secret, was fond of him.
12. Okonkwo: He works hard. He will make a good man.
13. Ikemefuna: Nwoye and I gather firewood. We laugh together.
14. Nwoye: He tells stories better than mother!
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15. Nwoye's Mother: He has brought laughter into this compound.
16. Narrator: But fear ruled Okonkwo. Affection was weakness.
17. Okonkwo: A man must rule with a heavy hand.
18. Ikemefuna: I feel safe here.
19. Nwoye: You're like a brother to me.
20. Narrator: But peace in Umuofia never lasts long...
Scene 3: The Yam Season (Chapter 4)
Characters: Okonkwo, Nwoye, Ikemefuna, Narrator, Nwakibie, Ojiugo, Ezeani
1. Narrator: The planting season began. Yam—the king of crops—meant everything.
2. Okonkwo: Nwoye, Ikemefuna, fetch the hoes. Today we begin early.
3. Nwoye: Yes, father.
4. Ikemefuna: I’ll carry the basket of seedlings.
5. Narrator: Okonkwo remembered his youth, when Nwakibie helped him rise.
6. (Flashback: Nwakibie hands yams to young Okonkwo.)
7. Nwakibie: You are young, but you have ambition. Take these yams.
8. Young Okonkwo: I will make you proud.
9. Narrator: Okonkwo worked hard. His barns grew full.
10. Okonkwo: The soil listens to those who command it!
11. Narrator: But pride made him harsh.
12. (Ojiugo returns late.)
13. Okonkwo: Where have you been, woman?
14. Ojiugo: I had to plait my hair.
15. Okonkwo: (strikes her) You dishonor me during the Week of Peace!
16. Narrator: The village was shocked. He had broken sacred law.
17. (Ezeani enters.)
18. Ezeani: You have offended Ani, the Earth goddess. Your offering is due.
19. Okonkwo: I acted rashly. I will pay.
20. Narrator: Even great men bow before the gods.
Scene 4: A Festival and Fire (Chapter 5)
Characters: Okonkwo, Ekwefi, Ezinma, Nwoye’s Mother, Narrator, Villagers
1. Narrator: The New Yam Festival came with joy and songs.
2. Nwoye’s Mother: Let us clean the walls and prepare the yams.
3. Ekwefi: Ezinma, help me fetch water.
4. Ezinma: Yes, mama. I love the festival!
5. Narrator: Even Okonkwo joined the feast, though he hated idleness.
6. Okonkwo: Women waste time dancing. I’d rather work.
7. Nwoye’s Mother: Let us enjoy, husband. It is tradition.
8. Ekwefi: The wrestling matches are tonight. Remember Amalinze?
9. Narrator: But anger smoldered in Okonkwo.
10. (Ekwefi mutters, Okonkwo hears.)
11. Okonkwo: What did you say, woman?
12. Ekwefi: I said nothing!
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13. (He fires his gun, it misfires.)
14. Ezinma: Mama!
15. Narrator: Fear spread through the compound.
16. Okonkwo: The gun... it was foolish of me.
17. Ekwefi: You could have killed someone!
18. Narrator: Laughter turned to silence. Joy gave way to fear.
19. Villager: The gods must not like anger during a festival.
20. Narrator: Okonkwo’s fire threatened all he loved.
(Scenes 5 to 8 will continue the structure through Chapter 12)
