In The Gods Are Not To Blame. Ola Rotimi uses the theme of Sophocles’ Oedipus to weave a rare, fascinating African Story. The circumstances surrounding the birth of King Odewale, his parents’ and his own attempts to prevent the fate predicted for him from happening, are all cleverly spun together to create the intriguing dilemma in which the main character, and others, find themselves.

The play was first performed at the Ife Festival of Arts, in Nigeria, in 1968. Since then, it has been staged with success in other West African countries. It was awarded the first prize in the African Arts/Arts d’Afrique playwriting contest in 1969.