“No sleepovers,” immigrant parents often firmly state, driven by a protective love shaped by their challenging journeys and experiences of being strangers in a new land. Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, a dynamic Nigerian-British playwright and screenwriter from East London, transforms this simple yet profound immigrant reality into a vibrant and heartfelt narrative in her groundbreaking play, “Sleepova.“
Set against the backdrop of friendship and adolescence, “Sleepova” follows four Black British teenagers—Rey, Elle, Shan, and Funmi—as they navigate identity, belonging, and personal growth. Each girl faces uniquely compelling challenges reflective of the broader immigrant and diaspora experience: from Rey’s tough exterior hiding a tender heart, Elle’s struggle balancing family religious expectations, Shan’s earnest drive for unity among friends, to Funmi’s vibrant joy in the face of living with sickle cell disease. Their stories, filled with humor and sincerity, resonate with anyone who has grappled with parental expectations, chronic illness, queerness, or a search for faith and self-understanding.
“Sleepova” offers a powerful exploration of the Black immigrant experience, illuminating the complexities of racial and cultural identity for communities in the United Kingdom and the United States. By highlighting these young women’s journeys, Ibini invites the audience to empathize deeply with the immigrant families — to imagine a world where children of immigrants can safely embrace new traditions, where cultures intertwine, and identities blossom. Engaging with stories like Sleepova fosters greater appreciation for the complexities of belonging and identity, challenging us to support inclusivity, uplift diverse narratives, and advocate for more compassionate, equitable communities.
Whether or not sleepovers were part of your upbringing, you’re invited to join Elle, Shan, Funmi, and Rey in their world from March 26 through April 27 at Olney Theatre’s Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. Consider this your invitation to open your mind and heart to a shared human experience. Use promo code TANTV25 to save 25% off adult tickets.
Learn more and reserve your seat at olneytheatre.org/sleepova or call 301-924-3400.
