A globally acclaimed solo production that originated inside a former Nigerian jail cell will mark its 100th performance during a three-night run in Sheffield.

Esther’s Revenge, which tasks audience members with deciding the fate of a woman condemned to hang, takes to the stage at the Utopia Theatre Creative Hub from Wednesday, November 25.

The one-woman drama draws upon the historical case of Esther Ada Johnson, a young Nigerian woman sentenced to capital punishment in colonial Lagos in 1953. Blending themes of betrayal, authority, romance and injustice, the show departs from traditional staging by choosing audience members to serve as jurors who directly weigh guilt and innocence.

Flyer for the Sheffield Autumn/Winter Tour | Pawstudios/Esther’s Revenge

placeholder image — Flyer for the Sheffield Autumn/Winter Tour | Pawstudios/Esther’s Revenge

Now in its ninth year, the production was written and directed by Kenneth Uphopho and produced by Pawstudios Africa. It debuted in 2018 as a site-specific staging in an old colonial prison cell at Freedom Park in Lagos. Although adapted over time for traditional venues across Africa, Europe and the United States, the piece has preserved the close, immersive format envisioned by Uphopho.

Central to the show’s run is performer and multidisciplinary artist Bola Stephen-Atitebi, who also serves as associate producer. Stephen-Atitebi, who possesses three decades of industry experience, has played the titular character since the show’s premiere.

Reflecting on the production’s longevity, she said: “When we began in that prison cell in Lagos in 2018, we had no idea how far Esther’s story would travel. Nine years on, the production continues to connect with audiences across continents. It is a testament to Kenneth’s vision and the commitment of everyone at Pawstudios Africa. I’m particularly excited that Sheffield will host our 100th performance.”

Over nearly a decade of touring, Esther’s Revenge has been featured at South Africa’s Vrystaat Arts Festival and the Pan African Creative Exchange, as well as the Brighton Fringe in the UK. In 2024, the piece completed an Off-Broadway residency at Soho Playhouse in New York.

Esther Johnson narrating her ordeal | Pawstudios/Esther’s Revenge

Staged at Utopia Theatre Creative Hub, located on Rockingham Gate, the production opens with the milestone centenary performance on Wednesday, November 25, at 7pm, followed by shows on Saturday 28, at 4pm and Sunday, November 29, at 6pm.