New Masquerade

Last updated
New Masquerade
GenreNigerian sitcom
Created byJames Iroha
Written byJames Iroha
StarringChika Okpala
Lizzy Evoeme
Christy Essien-Igbokwe
James Iroha
Romanus Amuta
Claude Eke
Tony Akposheri
David Offor
Country of originNigeria
Production
Production locationsEnugu, Nigeria

New Masquerade is a Nigerian sitcom that aired on the Nigerian Television Network on Tuesday nights from 8:30pm to 9:00pm during the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s. It was created and written by James Iroha who also acted in the sitcom. [1] It is one of Nigeria's longest running sitcoms. [2] The TV show started out as radio programme known as "Masquerade" transmitted on the East Central State Broadcasting Corporation, Enugu. [3]

Contents

Synopsis

The show started out a segment called "Masquerade" aired on In the Lighter Mood, radio programme of the East Central Broadcasting Corporation. [2] It was created after the civil war as a means to bring laughter to the homes of citizens after the devastation caused by the Nigerian Civil War. [4] The creator was James Iroha who also played Giringori on the TV show. [5]

The protagonist of the show is Chief Zebrudaya, a World War II veteran who has visited various foreign countries and he is perceived by other characters to have attained some level of sophistication and enlightenment. Many of the shows' plot take place in Zebrudaya's sitting room. Zebrudaya has a wife, Ovuleria, a daughter, Philo and two houseboys, Clarus and Giringori. Though a comedy, the show also incorporate melodramatic plots about teaching morals and the consequences of some of society's problems if they are not corrected. [4]

James Iroha and Chika Okpala who played Zebrudaya met in 1972, while they were rehearsing a play Souls and Daughters, which was staged at an ESBS amphi-theatre, located in Enugu. He invited Okpala to join the cast and become the star of the show while himself play as his houseboy Gringory Akabuogu. [6]

Cast and characters

Reception and critical response

The New Masquerade holds a special place in the history of Nigerian television and stands out for not only being entertaining but also educative. It also became a tool for ethnic and cultural integration since three Yoruba character- Jegede, Apena and Ramata in the sitcom are played by actors of Igbo descent. [7]

The sitcom was highly popular in the 80s and early 90s and only started losing its popularity by the advent of Mexican soap operas which the television authorities imported because it was cheaper than producing shows locally [8]

The programme also made the theme song "Eddie Quansa", from the album of Peacock International Band to become quite popular [9]

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References

  1. Haynes, Jonathan (2016). Nollywood: The Creation of Nigerian Film Genres. The University of Chicago Press. p. 80. ISBN   9780226387819.
  2. 1 2 Oko-Aja, Richard (2014). "Chief Zebrudaya as an Archetype of Molièresque Persona: A Satire of Nigerian Postcoloniality". Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 5.
  3. Ogbonna, Amadi (February 29, 2012). "Poverty, ill-health killed Giringori Akabogu". Vanguard. Lagos.
  4. 1 2 Timothy-Asobele, S. J. (2003). Nigerian top TV comedians and soap opera. Lagos: Upper Standard Publications.
  5. Njoku, Benjamin. "Nigeria: How Destiny Brought Giringori and I Together - Zebrudaya". Vanguard. Lagos.
  6. Njoku, Benjamin (March 3, 2012). "How destiny brought Giringori and I together – Zebrudaya". Vanguard News.
  7. Ikunu, Azeez Kareem. "Exploring the cultural legacy of the New Masquerade". Guardian Life.
  8. "How Mexican soaps ruined NTA programmes–TONY AKP0SHERI". The Nation Newspaper. April 27, 2014.
  9. Abiodun, Christabel (February 1, 2013). "Throwback Friday-The New Masquerade". Premium Times.