But that seems to be the magic with an Ebo Whyte play, there is always something new to learn no matter how many times you watch them and perhaps that's why the National Theatre was packed with people on Christmas Day as Festival of Plays 2019 kicked off with the hit play I Want Your Wife.
Some in the audience had watched the play before while for some it was the first time but the laughs and lessons were for everyone and at the end of it all, it was evident that Uncle Ebo Whyte and Roverman had chosen the perfect play to kick start this year's festival.
The music and dancing flowed in I Want Your Wife
According to Uncle Ebo Whyte, I Want Your Wife is based on a true story that happened in Bantama, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region in the 60s.
The story is simple; Ben and Abena have been married for 10 years and it has been a beautiful union. However, in church one day, the resident prophetess, Deborah, gives a prophecy that Ben should give up his wife to Yeboah, the richest man in the church.
While Abena is vehemently against the prophecy, Ben does not utter a word and that angers his wife who lashes out at him when they get home, exposing cracks in what has always been thought to be a perfect union.
It was a packed house at the National Theatre
Some elders in the church are not happy with Deborah's prophecy but the Pastor, who gets freebies from Yeboah is all for it and wants the marriage done as quickly as people.
The prophecy seems to be good news for some ladies in the church choir, Vera and Sarah who have always been in love with Ben and they can't wait for his marriage to be annulled, trying all they can to seduce him.
The church prays for Ben as his marriage to Abena is annulled
Eventually, Abena gives in to the prophecy but tries to find a cunning way to save her marriage to Ben.
At the wedding, Deborah gives another prophecy that Yeboah should give up one of his houses and cars in exchange for taking Abena from Ben but he refuses, saying the prophecy is false showing his double standards and leaving Abena free to go back to Ben.
I Want Your Wife tackles different issues; the menace of false prophecies which are threatening Christianity, the need to speak up against injustice, love, church politics among others.
While these are heavy subjects, Uncle Ebo Whyte gives it his usual touch; a lot of humour, music, and dancing which thrilled patrons who were very involved in the play and also laughed their hearts out.
Acting is as usual top-notch and nothing less than one would expect from Uncle Ebo Whyte and the team at Roverman.
Festival of Plays continues on Friday, December 27 with Dora Why?; Saturday, December 28 with Devil In The Mirror; Sunday, December 29 with Not My Husband; Wednesday, January 1, 2020, with Bananas and Groundnuts and Thursday, January 2 with God, You're Fired.
All the plays will show at the National Theatre and there are two showings for each play; 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.