Nigerian actress, Yetunde Wunmi has revealed that her decision to pursue a career in acting ended her marriage.
She stated this in an interview with BBC Yorùbá.
According to the 64-year-old, her career as a stage performer began in 1982 under Sunday Akinola’s (Feyi Kogbon) theatre group.
She revealed that her passion for acting sparked after meeting the late legendary filmmaker, Adeyemi Afolayan.
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“Adelove brought the stage drama to Danjuma film close to where I lived then. I cannot forget the man. He wore all white that day. He wore a white shoe and came out from a white car,” she said.
“Everybody ran towards the man and I also went closer to make sure I touched his clothes. I was very happy at the time. It felt like I touched a gold. That was when my interest in theatre started to grow. I lost my marriage due to my love for this theatre.
“I never regretted doing theatre since then because God has been gracious to me.
“One experience I cannot forget was when I joined my boss’ group. I was nursing a baby who was still under 41 days. One day, I said let me stroll out but I saw my group having rehearsals. I asked if there was an outing. My boss’ wife then told me the troop was traveling. I did not tell my husband the truth. I only told him I was going to visit my mother in another town. I followed the troop to Ilorin where we started the stage performances.
“Anytime I was called to the stage to dance, I would use my costume to wrap the baby and give the child to someone and get the child back whenever I was done. The next day, the child was having a high temperature and I went to the pharmacy to get drugs for the baby.
“Two days later, my boss told me to return home due to the baby’s health but I refused and told him I was staying back. I was eventually paid N16 — which was the exact amount I spent on treating the child. I was not concerned because I was just happy to have been a part of the show.
“The most painful part of it was that the baby died after a year and 10 days old. So, the child did not enjoy the success of theatre with me. It is something I will never forget.”
Peoplesmind
