Death and the King's Horseman

"The Greater the Honour, the Deeper the Shame"

In British-occupied Nigeria, a Yoruba king, the Alafin, has died, and it is the duty of his horseman, Elesin, to accompany him into the afterlife. While lustily enjoying the pleasures of this world, Elesin proudly anticipates his transition to the next – but the sacred ritual is interrupted, resulting in unforeseen tragedy. Inspired by a real-life incident, this masterpiece from Nobel Prize winner Soyinka celebrates a community striving to uphold its culture in the face of colonial power.

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Release Date

February 9, 2023

Status

Released

Original Title

Death and the King's Horseman

Runtime

2h 33min

Budget

Revenue

Language

Production Companies

Stratford Festival