Welcome to Thebes
Welcome to Thebes feels like home because I could relate to it on so many levels. The play centers on a city trying to rebuild after conflict, led by a woman navigating power, politics, and resistance, and that immediately connected with me.
It is not just about my cultural background, but how the story reflect realities I understand, especially around pre-colonial, colonial histories in Africa and how those effects are still present today. At the same time, it does not feel limited to on place. The story feels very global and connects to what is happening across the world now, from political conflict to displacement and social tensions.
What stands out to me is how the play does not focus on just one issue, but explores multiple layers like class, power, identity, and the different "isms" that shape people's lives. I was also really drawn to how it presents women, showing both their strength and their ability to lead, while also being honest about how difficult it is for them to create real change within systems that are still very male-dominated.
