The Trials of Brother Jero and The Strong Breed. (Acting Edition for Theater Productions)

I have read four of Soyinka's plays and found his use of language and drama to be exciting and unmatched by any other African playwright. The Brother Jero plays portray the problem of many African societies which have fallen to religion as a way out of their problems, only to be exploited by dubious and unscrupulous 'prophets' who know their weakness. Soyinka artistically avoids the criminalisation of Bro Jeroboam -he dupes even the authorities. The farce is that this silly problem continues unchecked in many places, despite the obvious bad character traits of some so-called prophets. A treat for lovers of subtle comedy.

Sad and funny, funny and sad, and true.