HUMOUR IN GHANAIAN DRAMA AND ITS IMPACT ON AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND ENJOYMENT: A STUDY OF EFUA T. SUTHERLAND’S THE MARRIAGE OF ANANSEWA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: This paper examined Efua T. Sutherland's play The Marriage of Anansewa to examine how humour can engage and entertain audiences in Ghanaian drama. Design/Methods/Approach: The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a narrative research design. It employed the purposive sampling technique. The data analysis involved textual analysis, which helped uncover the effectiveness of humour in audience engagement. Findings: The results of this study underlined the significance of humour in engaging the audience throughout the performance of The Marriage of Anansewa. The humorous elements in the play captivate the audience's attention, keeping them engrossed in the narrative. Moreover, these elements contribute to the overall enjoyment of the audience. The witty dialogues, amusing situations, and playful characters provide entertainment, making the play enjoyable for the audience. Research Limitation: The paper was limited to Efua T. Sutherland's The Marriage of Anansewa play. Hence, measuring subjective elements of enjoyment and engagement is challenging. Practical Implication: The study will aid teachers, students, readers, examiners, curriculum developers, and textbook publishers of Literature-in-English in mastering the skill of identifying humour in the acts and scenes of any drama book. Social Implication: Preserves Ghanaian oral traditions through theatrical adaptation. It Strengthens community bonds through collective entertainment and fortifies intergenerational cultural transmission. Originality/Value: The study is based on the authors' ability to exhume instances of humour from portions of the selected text and assess their impact on audience engagement and enjoyment.

Keywords: Anansewa. audience engagement. humour. play. theatrical