If your idea of a good party is staying home and watching movies or if you want your guests to have something to do while waiting for your party to start, kick back and enjoy Yoruba theatre and movies.There's a plethora of movies to choose from depending on your taste – old or new school.Hubert Ogunde (1916-1990) is considered the father of modern Yoruba/Nigerian theatre, launching his theatre group in 1946 following the pattern of traditional Alárìnjó dramas which accompanied the Egúngúns.

Since Ogunde, there have been other theatre groups and more recently, movies which artistically combine drama, music, and dance celebrating Yoruba culture. The movies usually present jùjú prowess, family relations within polygamy, societal issues, and Yoruba cultural values.

Behind the scenes making on-screen magic are playwrights, directors, and group managers. This truly remarkable bunch include: Wole Soyinka, Ola Balogun, Ola Rotimi, Dapo Adelugba, Kola Ogunmola, Art Alade, Ben Tomoloju, Wale Ogunyemi, Adebayo Faleti, Gbenga Adewusi, Femi Osofisan, Femi Lasode, Wale Adenuga, Jimoh Aliyu, Fred Agbeyegbe, Muyideen Alade Aromire, Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan, and Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande).

Stars of Yoruba Theatre

1950 - 1960s

Drama: Hubert Ogunde

Kola Ogunmola

Ayo Ogungbe

Comedy: Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala)

Movies: Yoruba Ronu,Otito Koro

1970s

Drama: Duro Ladipo (Oba k'oso)

Ojo Ladipo

Comedy: Funso Adeolu (Chief Eleyinmi)

Ibidun Allison (Amebo)

Movies: Oba k'oso, Ajani Ogun, Ogbori Elemoso

1980s

Drama: Oyin Adejobi

Lere Paimo (Eda Onileola)

Adeyemi Afolayan (Adelove)

Ishola Ogunsola (I show pepper)

Comedy: Tajudeen Gbadamosi and Ayo Ogunsina (Jacob and Papalolo)

Ola Omonitan (Ajimajasan)

Sunday Omobolanle (Aluwe)

Tunji Oyelana (Sura the Tailor)

Movies: Aiye, J'aiye simi, Aropin n'tenia, Ayanmo, Arelu

1990s

Drama: Toyin Adegbola (Asewo to re Mecca)

Comedy: Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe)

Lola Idije (Iya Rainbow)

Modupe Johnson (Fali Werepe)

Kayode Olaseinde (Pa Ajasco)

Movies: Saworo Ide,Owuro l'Ojo, Agbara Nla,

Ti Oluwa ni Ile, Maradona, Sango

2000s

Drama: Femi Branch

Funke Akindele

Muka Ray

Saheed Balogun

Ronke Oshodi-Oke

Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)

Comedy: (Baba Latin)

Movies: Eta'nu, Owo Ale, Jenifa, Arugba

(Culled from Owanbe! Yoruba Celebrations of Life by Abi Adegboye & Ibiyemi Dare)