Roverman Productions has brought its first-quarter staged play to a successful end.

On Saturday, March 26, "Take me to the moon" - a play written and directed by Uncle Ebo Whyte made its way to the National Theatre in Accra. This was the first time Ghanaians had the opportunity to interact with this satire.

The almost 2-hour show was also staged on March 27, April 2 and 3, at 4pm and 8pm each of the days.

On that faithful April 3 - the first Sunday in April, the curtain was finally drawn. It was at this point that bye-byes were said and the many who trooped into the theatre made their way back home.

Fortunately for you, here is a chance to live a part of the adventure if you missed it or to re-live the memories if you graced the occasion.

Before the red velvet curtain was raised, there was soothing music from the band - serving the audience delicacies from Ghana and Nigeria. Kelvyn Boy's "Down flat" did not evade the repertoire.

Kudos to Joseph Appiah, Borax Folson, Gershon Yeboah, Osgood Justice Appiah, Ernestina Twumasi, Angelina Arjarquah and Gabriel AB Atepo for the appetizer that paved way for the main meal.

Curtain-raiser

A rendition of Ephraim Amu's "Yen ara asase ni" graciously welcomed the audience. That was not all. The eight casts on stage also served Uncle Ato's "Oman ye me man" after which they briefly introduced themselves and urged the audience seated to adhere to the rules of the house.

Speaking of characters, here are the eight-member cast.

The principal character is President Kwadwo Boamah - a man who is ambitious, determined and madly in love with his ex-wife, who is now the Minority Leader in Parliament. Andrew Bulley assumed the role, Mr President.

Meet Chief of Staff, a character played by Akosua K. Yeboah. The Chief of Staff who once dated the President is always on the lookout for her one-time lover. She is worried the President still allows his former wife to be the centre of his world.

Just so you know, the Chief of Staff role had a double cast. Chief of Staff was also played by Alison Asihene.

Here are Dr Kobby Tettey; the Deputy Director of NASA and his wife; Professor Akuye Tettey, an expert in Astrophysics. The two are Yin and Yan - metaphorically. The woman is all fiery and the man is the water that quenches the fire. However, Dr Tettey becomes a tsunami when he is toiled with. Bernard Oduro played Dr Tettey and Benedicta Naa Odey played Prof. Tettey.

Another major character in the play is Honourable Eileen, the former wife of the President, who is also the Minority Leader in Parliament. She is fierce and has a grudge against Mr President. She is bent on frustrating government business in the House. The character Hon Eileen was played by Sarah Yanumeh Beinpuo.

Honourable Eileen was also played by Aramide Kudi Lawal.

A bundle of joy to behold is the character Chairman. Chairman leads the political party; TPP that brought the President into office. Chairman plays to the gallery when he is before the President but in his absence, speaks the desires of his heart.

He is a politician who wants to feed the party followers and fill his pocket - all to the detriment of the growth of the world of the play named Ghana. Dr Michael Akoto Sasu plays the role of Chairman.

Abena, who is the Secretary to the President is another character to behold. Abena is clumsy and not fit to work at the Presidency. Aside clumsiness, Abena is a gossip who eavesdrops on the conversation in the Office of the President.

Last but not least, is TT. Chairman introduces his nephew as Theophilus Tandoh. TT is a cry baby who resided in the USA. He worked with a restaurant that delivered sushi to its customers. He wants to be a part of the team that takes Ghana to the moon. Gabriel AB Atepo played TT.

Take note, theatrical works do not just serve entertainment purposes but also break the barriers many fear to push. They address topical issues in a satirical manner and not bluntly so as not to raise tempers. However, they know the assignment – a cliché meaning doing what is expected of one.

All the drama takes place at the Office of the President. Yes, the close to two hours showstopper only took place at the President’s office.

Storyline

The President is seated in his office working when the Chief of Staff enters, together with Abena, his secretary. Just in the opening scene, Abena’s clumsiness comes to bear. She drops the President’s breakfast. In her bid to tidy up the office, she hits the Chief of Staff with the mop. The Chief of Staff directs her to get out of the office.

Satire 1: Is that the legacy of the previous government? The President asks. No, that is the niece of the party Chairman, the Chief of Staff answers.

Fast forward a number of dialogues, the Chief of Staff tells the President of one Ghanaian, Dr Kobby Tettey, who is doing wonders at NASA. The President is interested in meeting him, but little does he know that the Chief of Staff has made the necessary arrangements.

Dr Kobby Tettey and Prof Akuye Tettey make their way to the President’s office. It is a warm introduction as Prof Akuye, the talkative, speaks of how she and her husband are proud of their roots and how much they have accomplished.

But she tells the President they found difficulties in booking an appointment as they were directed to pay monies before they could meet the President. A pinch of corruption right at the helm of affairs. Her news shocked the President and the Chief of Staff.

It is at this first encounter that Mr President tells Dr Tettey he wants to take Ghana to the moon, therefore, wants him to head the space station to be built and chair the project.

Prof Akuye is not enthused about this development. She doesn’t want her husband to throw away his career in the USA just because Ghana wants to go to the moon – a project she believes Ghanaians would find crazy as there are more pressing issues.

She also says the project will not materialize because it would become a political project were members would loot the money and may not even provide the resources – worse, the provision of inferior goods. She also notes that even Parliament will drag the issue of a bill to support the project.

Dr Tettey and his wife, in the absence of the President and the Chief of Staff, discuss what the future holds for them. At the end of a long discussion filled with romantic and inspirational songs, the duo decides to stay and help take Ghana to the moon.

Dr Tettey tells the President of this decision, however, presents some conditions. They include the project is bi-partisan and he, Dr Tettey, will appoint the commissioners on a 12-member board to see to the completion of the project. The President agrees to his terms.

The President, Dr Tettey and Prof Akuye leave for breakfast. For the Tetteys, they prefer something heavy - dishes like banku, fufu, Kenkey etc due to their busy schedule.

Later, Chairman appears. He introduces himself with the anthem of the political party he heads, TPP. Surprisingly, Chairman is aware of the President's dream, an initiative he ridicules. He was briefed by Abena. He tells the Chief of Staff of his discontent and pledges to inform the President of what he thinks.
"I swear by this kettle…." he says but Chairman rescinds his decision when the President arrives.

He lauds the President for the great initiative. His sudden change of attitude made the audience burst into laughter.

The President then briefs him of details about the project. Interacting with the Chief of Staff, Chairman reveals that his support to the President is to enable him feed off the project. The project is worth billions of dollars and he wants just 10 per cent.

Fast forward, Chairman meets Dr Tettey and his wife. Chairman tells Dr Tettey he has a niece who completed JHS and could be his secretary. That is not all. Chairman introduces his nephew, TT, to Dr Tetteh. TT who worked at NASA wants to be on the project. Well, it turns out TT's NASA is the North America Sushi Agency and not National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Chairman also presented his list, not Abena Korkor's list he said, of those he found competent to be commissioners on the board that will take Ghana to the moon. He included his MP, Assemblyman and some political party members. Literally, people with no experience and cannot differentiate between a helicopter, jet fighter and a kantanka armored car; as said by Prof. Akuye.

Satire 2: Nepotism at its best, once again.

This article will not take you to the promise land unfortunately - barely scratched the surface. However, stay tuned for another opportunity to see "Take me to the moon" to know how the contention between Hon Eileen and her ex-husband climaxes and when Dr Tettey roars like a lion after Chairman defames him.

But here is a lesson from Uncle Ebo Whyte.

Ghana is a nation filled with potential, however, the actions of some citizens are stifling its growth. It is time for the leaders to rise to the occasion and rid the nation of such bad nuts in order for Ghana to achieve her dreams.

On the sidelines, a good work done to members of the Production House that ensured the audiences were well taken care of and adhered to the House rules.

To the many who made it for the first quarter play, Roverman Productions says a thank you.

https://twitter.com/rovermangh/status/1510911311206572032

Make a date next time as JoyFM partners Roverman Productions to serve another inspiring play from Uncle Ebo Whyte.

Kindly find for your consumption an opinion piece on 'Take Me To The Moon'.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/felicia-osei-when-ebo-whyte-took-me-to-the-moon/