Where do I start from? This is a question not borne out of the fact that I probably don’t have where to start from, but as a result of the multiplicity of the ‘where’ to start from. This might not be surprising for those who know this enigma we celebrate, because he lives in a complex multiplicity of creative, social and physical energy. It thus becomes difficult to pigeon-hole him into a genre or an art form.
As complex as it seems, it is evident that, like an onion, we have to ‘peel’ the layers that make up this Edo-born Nollywood icon, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen.
But how do you understand Lance or “Sir Lancelot’, ’D’guvenor’, as fondly called by friends? Is it Lance the dancer? Or Lance the writer? Or Lance the poet? Is it Lance the actor? Or Lance the singer? Or Lance the director? Or Lance the consummate filmmaker? Is it Lance the philanthropist? Or Lance the protector of culture? Is it Lance the educationist and mentor?
That is LANCELOT ODUWA IMASUEN. He is ONE and EVERY of those qualities and much more. At a glance, this proud Bini boy strikes you like one with an ebullient and free spirit flowing with laughter and love. When Lance is around, you know he is AROUND. The echo of his hearty laugh fills anywhere he goes to and his simple HUMILITY disarms even his ardent critics.
I met Lance almost thirty (30) years ago at the rehearsals of the play ‘OBASEKI’, by Don Pedro Obaseki, who was also directing the performance. The mix of talent by Don Pedro for the several performances of this production and the toil and toll it took on every member of cast was only measured by the joy we all felt at the artistic success of the plays even if we didn’t make anything from gates or even get paid.
On this artistic journey, Lance and I became friends and one thing that stood him out for me was his ‘artistic enthusiasm’. He wasn’t one to say ‘NO’ to any challenge. He acted, he danced and he would come to the orchestra to join me to play the drums. He didn’t just do these with a fleeting enthusiasm. No, not Lance. He knew his craft and art of his trade. He was a Jack of all trade and MASTER of ALL.
Our journey took us out of Nigeria for the first time in 1996, to go perform ‘OBASEKI’ in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of the ‘Culture City’ events of that year. From the halls of theatres to the streets of Stroget, some of us, including my humble self and Lancelot, would ‘stage performances’ at this ‘longest pedestrian street in the world’ at that time. This wasn’t part of our performance in Denmark but ‘our own kind of performance’ to make some extra cash to at least buy some things on our way back to Nigeria.
Lance, bedecked in our colorful Bini costumes, would dance and sing his heart out as we drummed and sang along, performing some cultural ‘gymnastics’ to spice it up and also open the pockets of those who gave us some ‘Kroners’ for our performances. That is the man Lance. That singular journey has metamorphosed to countless of such journeys all across the world for this great guy.
The same enthusiasm he has transposed into his works and art, nurturing many in his blazing years in Nollywood. He is regarded as one of the creative forces that have nurtured the ‘experiment’ called NOLLYWOOD when many did not give it a chance. Through sweat, blood, intuition and creative research and development, Lance has brought that tinge of ingenuity to his works across time. Name them: is it ’Yesterday’, or ’Isakkaba’, ’Beginning and the End’, ‘Adesuwa’, ’Invasion 1897’, ‘Last Burial’, ‘The Games Men Play’, ‘The Soul that Sinneth’, ‘Gbege’, ‘Private Sin’… and so many more classics.
Watching him work is a delight to creativity. He prances about like a home leopard, dishing out his directorial concept and ’blocking’ to actors and in the same breath adjusting lights to give him what he’s looking for. He’s a walking encyclopedia of acting and a passionate acolyte of ‘method acting’ (Stanislavsky). His enthusiasm and eye for details are unparalleled. He oversees all and no surprise he is called THE GUV’NOR.
What more can I say that has not been said about this great son of Edo State? A true manifestation of the slogan ’Edo to the World’.
