Win a pair of tickets to The Lion and the Jewel: a light comedy in Coppet

: Published: 28 October 2026

The Lion and the Jewel rehearsals 1

Join the Geneva English Drama Society in Coppet for this classic work of Nigerian literature the fuses modern and traditional elements of storytelling, song and dance to satirise the conflict between traditional values and modernity by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

Young, beautiful Sidi is the 'jewel' of her village. After her photos are published in a western magazine, she is torn between two proposals of marriage: from Lakunle, a young schoolteacher who embraces Western culture, and the cunning, traditional village chief Baroka.

The Lion and the Jewel is a light comedy by Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka. It is considered one of the most important works in Soyinka’s oeuvre. The play depicts the conflict between traditional values and modernity, as embodied by the two main characters: Lakunle, a young man who embraces Western culture, and Sidi, a woman who represents the traditional values of her community. The play was written during a time of great change in Nigeria, as the country was transitioning from colonialism to independence. It is considered a classic work of Nigerian literature and has been translated into many languages, and staged all across the world, including at the Royal Court Theatre in 1966. It also serves as prescribed literature text for the West African School.