Uncle Ebo Whyte's 'Takeover' leaves audiences in stitches at National Theatre

Even though “church politics” is a solemn subject for many, it, however, succeeded as the theme of playwright Uncle Ebo Whyte’s latest play, Takeover.

The latest play cracked the ribs of patrons when it was shown at the National Theatre over the last two weekends.

They were staged on Friday, July 5, 6 and 7 and an encore on July 12, 13 and 14. Show times were Friday: 7:00 pm (1 show), Saturday: 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm (2 shows) and Sunday: 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm (3 shows).

Right from the opening act, it prepared them for a burst of laughter galore and they certainly were not disappointed when the curtain came down. And good lessons were also learnt about the hypocrisy of men of God. 

Set in the Living Waters International Church, Apostle Nii Godson Commey returns from abroad after undergoing surgery. 

As the General Overseer of the church, he expects his junior pastors, Bishop Onasis and Bishop Freeman to be happy about his return.

However, his pastors hatch a plan to overthrow him, using his daughter’s waywardness as a reason for his removal.

The critics argued that as a spiritual leader, the General Overseer should set a higher standard by ensuring his family and household are in order, citing his daughter's controversial social media posts as evidence of his failure to do so. 

Meanwhile, the two junior pastors, fueled by ambition and a desire for power, continue to plot and scheme, seeking to exploit the situation to their advantage and ultimately force the General Overseer to step down. 

As the tension builds and the stakes grow higher, the play takes a dramatic turn, exposing the darker side of church politics and the lengths to which some will go to achieve their goals.

Amidst the chaos and plotting, Pastor JJ emerges as a beacon of loyalty and compassion. He stands by the General Overseer through thick and thin and even goes the extra mile by caring for Mary during her father's absence when he was away receiving medical treatment.

Takeover explores themes of greed, integrity and the unrelenting love of a father for his estranged child. 

Uncle Ebo Whyte's latest play was a resounding success, leaving the audience in awe and craving for more. The talented cast, led by Mary, the General Overseer's daughter; Khebab, the church's security guy; and Abrewa, the prostitute, delivered outstanding performances that kept the audience glued to their seats.

The play's choreography was a work of genius and the audience was wowed by the infectious energy of the performers. 

Mary brought depth and nuance to her character, effortlessly conveying the emotional turmoil and conflict that defined her role. Khebab, the rugged security guy, had the audience in stitches with his witty one-liners and comedic timing. Abrewa, though her role was minor, left a lasting impression on all who watched.

The audience was fully invested in the story, laughing and cheering along with the characters.