The Post—War Play

Abstract

Although the Civil War dominated Soyinka’s writing for a considerable period, only a small part of the work from this time was in dramatic form. Part of the reason for this may be provided by the extent to which one grim drama drained him of his bitterness and by the circumstances under which the only published play from this period was written. Madmen and Specialists purged the rancour and despair which had accumulated during the months in detention and confronted the evil which Soyinka had encountered with fierce, acerbic humour. The text was completed from drafts, some of which may have been made in Kaduna Prison, at the stimulating Eugene O’Neill Center, Waterford, Connecticut, while Soyinka rehearsed with the University of Ibadan Theatre Arts Company for a sponsored production.