Award-winning Nigerian immersive stage production, Esther’s Revenge, is set to return to the United Kingdom this summer for another tour following growing international acclaim and popular demand.
Written and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the play is inspired by the true story of Esther Ada Johnson, a Nigerian woman whose 1953 court case in colonial Lagos exposed issues of abuse, betrayal, injustice and the resilience of women.
Produced by Brenda Fashugba for Pawstudios Africa, the production stars Bola Stephen-Atitebi, with Omotola Ibeh serving as Production Manager. The immersive theatrical experience places audiences at the centre of the action, inviting them to assume the role of jurors and determine Esther’s fate.
Originally conceived as an experimental reimagining of Esther’s court proceedings, Esther’s Revenge has since been staged in the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and Nigeria. It has also featured at major international festivals, including the Brighton Fringe, Scarborough Fringe, Vrystaat Arts Festival, Bradford African Festival of Arts, Leeds International African Arts Festival and the Lagos Fringe.
Speaking on the production’s growing global recognition, Uphopho said Esther’s Revenge has received several prestigious honours, including the Brighton Fringe International Encore Series Award, which earned the production a three-week residency at the SoHo Playhouse in New York, as well as a 2023 Off Fest nomination.
He added that the play also attracted critical acclaim in a 2025 London Box Office review, which described Stephen-Atitebi’s performance as “heart-wrenching and often devastating.”
The UK tour will include performances at the Africa Centre, London, as part of the 2026 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange celebrations on July 17 and 18; Bread & Roses Theatre, London, on July 21 and 22; Alma Tavern & Theatre, Bristol, from July 24 to 26; Impact Dance Studios, London, on July 28 and 29; and the Bradford African Festival of Arts on August 5.
Beyond the performances, the production will feature post-show discussions with members of the creative team, as well as optional workshops exploring storytelling, gender representation and identity. Suitable for audiences aged 16 and above, the production is designed for both conventional theatres and alternative performance spaces.
Stephen-Atitebi described Esther’s Revenge as “a participatory work that explores race, colonialism, gender-based violence, sexual abuse and social injustice,” adding that its themes continue to resonate with audiences across different cultures and communities.
Also speaking, Production Manager Omotola Ibeh said taking the production back to the UK was both exciting and rewarding.
“Beyond presenting compelling theatre, our focus is on creating meaningful experiences for audiences through thoughtful production, community engagement and conversations that continue long after the performance ends. We are delighted to return to familiar venues while also reaching new audiences who will encounter Esther’s story for the first time,” she said.
