‘Ado Ire’s Quest’, an original stage musical from Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, Nigeria’s first IBCCES-certified autism centre, will premiere on December 12 and 13 at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos. The centre has tapped Temi Ami-Williams to direct and produce the project, with Lagos-based New Wine Studios as the production company.

Ami-Williams, who was selected for Film Lab Africa, a British Council accelerator, made her directorial debut with the short film ‘Ireti’ in 2023. The film premiered at the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit in September 2024 and screened at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) that November. She went on to direct ‘High on Stage’, a stage drama focused on teenage consciousness and substance abuse, produced by Road 14 Studios as part of the Lagos International Theatre Festival in 2024. 

Set in the riverine settlement of Ado Ire, ‘Ado Ire’s Quest’ follows five teenagers sent to recover a stolen paddle of light before their homeland is lost forever. The production features an original score composed by Bridget Okonkwo, with music direction by Kehinde Oretimehin, and an opening anthem performed by the young ensemble in collaboration with Nigerian musician Tchella.

Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, led by Mrs Dotun Akande, is executive producing the production as part of its long-running effort to create paid creative opportunities for performers with disabilities. The Centre has spent nearly two decades providing behavioural, occupational, speech, and music therapy for children and young adults with autism and training special needs therapists across Nigeria.

Patrick Speech & Languages Centre is a subsidiary of Pure Souls Learning Foundation, which has also used film and other creative projects to advance its work around autism and inclusion. In 2015, the foundation produced the animated film ‘Demystifying Autism’, which sought to educate audiences about the signs of autism and received an AFRIFF nomination.

For Ami-Williams, the story and its world were central to her decision to take on the project.

“What drew me to Ado-Ire’s Quest first was simply that it is a beautiful theatre story. I was drawn to the riverine world, the mythology, the five young people, and their quest to recover the stolen paddle of light.”

She also sees the production’s inclusion focus as part of the storytelling rather than a separate 

element.

“The inclusion is not separate from the story; it is part of how we are telling it.”

‘Ado Ire’s Quest’ marks Patrick Speech & Languages Centre’s first full-scale theatre production, following its 2012 feature film ‘Silver Lining’ and the centre’s ongoing Gazelle Studio arts initiative. Further details on casting and ticket sales are expected in the coming weeks.

SYNOPSIS

In the thriving riverine settlement of Ado-Ire, the sacred Wendo Paddle, a mystical symbol of unity and life, is stolen by the sinister sorcerer Odiagu. Without the paddle’s light, the land will collapse within seven days.

When the village elders are divided on what to do, the wise Baale takes an unexpected step: he sends five teenagers from different tribes, each seemingly flawed or underestimated, on a dangerous journey to recover the paddle.

The unlikely heroes include Ladunni, a boy with immense strength; Arabiere, a gifted singer whose voice holds power; Ka Adikwu, a boy living with mobility impairment and is a strategic genius; Hadera, a partially visually impaired girl with extraordinary perception; and Fusia, a compassionate orphan whose only gift appears to be her heart.

As they travel through mystical paths, they face deceptive strangers, manipulative spirits, riddling tricksters, and their own fears. Along the way, the team fractures, two are captured, one is tempted by power, and another loses faith in himself. Yet through courage, kindness, and unwavering belief in each other, they gradually discover that their differences are not weaknesses but strengths.

When the surviving warriors finally confront Odiagu, they realize that defeating him requires more than strength or intelligence; it requires unity, forgiveness, and faith.

In a final act of courage and compassion, the five friends reclaim the glowing Wendo Paddle and restore life to Ado-Ire, proving that the greatest power is found in love, empathy, and collective purpose.