Trials of Brother Jero, The
By Wole Soyinka
Year staged: 1966
Theatre Company: Hampstead Theatre
Staged in: Hampstead Theatre
Cast Size: Unknown
Synopsis
Self-styled prophet and con artist Brother Jero preaches to a diminishing congregation of “customers”. He pretends to live as a prophet on the beach. His trials take place over a single day. He tries to convert a Member of Parliament to his teachings. His old mentor berates him. Jero rails against trouble caused by women, whom he calls ‘daughters of despair’. These ‘troubles’ include; the young girl who walks by each morning to Jero’s repeated temptation, and a creditor pursuing him for money, who turns out to be the wife of his protégé, which leads to Jero’s unmasking – another crisis needing his quick wits to sidestep.
Find the script
Trials of Brother Jero, The
Publisher: Eyre Methuen
Year published: 1973