Crown Of Blood - Riveting And Compelling

Crown of Blood is a powerful and compelling Yoruba production retelling the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written by Oladipo Agboluaje and directed by Mojisola Kareem.

The action is set during the civil wars of 19th-century Yorubaland. General Aderemi, fresh from saving the kingdom from invaders is promoted to be a Field Marshal, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle. When the oracle further predicts that he will become the King, Aderemi and his wife Oyebisi embark on a bloody mission to ensure that he will sit on the throne and rule the kingdom. This riveting story contains compelling themes of power, betrayal, and destiny, drawing on African storytelling traditions of drama music and dance leaving the audience spellbound.

Although probably an unfamiliar cast to a UK audience, the two main characters of Aderemi and Oyebisi are played by Deyemi Okanlawon and Kehinde Bankole both of whom are well established, highly respected and are regarded as Nigerian stage and screen superstars. Deyemi Okanlawon as Adweemi dominates the stage with his presence whilst Kehinde Bankole, as his wife Oyebisi, forcefully and cleverly is able to manipulate her husband in order to realise her ambition of wreaking revenge on those who inflicted dreadful suffering on her people. Oyebisi loves her husband but she is blinded by her thirst for revenge and eventually comes to question whether the price of revenge is too high a price to pay ‘Do not imprint on the future, the tragedies of the past’. Throughout, both displayed a broad spectrum of emotionally charged portrayals of their characters.

All of the cast are exceptional. I especially liked the village folk with their African dancing and singing which really anchored the piece into the era in which it is set.

The staging at the Crucible is unique and the production made full use of the various entries and exits from the stage. Kevin Jenkins, the set and costume designer has created a spacious visual feast allowing the cast to move freely around the staged area. The costumes were superb in keeping with the African setting. Also of note was the fight scene towards the end of the production, choreographed by Bethan Clark.

The exclusion of Macbeth’s three witches forces the characters to confront their dilemmas and in the case of Oyebisi realise that all that she has wished and plotted to achieve whilst it has come to fruition is not what she had hoped it to be.

This production is definitely a must see piece of theatre for those who appreciate a new work that is ambitious, fresh and thought- provoking.

Sheffield Crucible Theatre Until 7th February 2026