The Salt Road
Three sisters, one canoe and the last load of salt before the rains.
The play
The Salt Road
In 1894 the Ekanem sisters take their late father’s salt canoe up the river one last time, carrying a debt, a secret and a letter none of them can read. A new play about inheritance, trade and the women who kept the river towns fed, told with live drumming and a stage that floods.
Written in Calabar over two years and developed with the ensemble in our studio, the play has been shaped by the actors who perform it. Directed by Nkoyo Effiong-Asuquo, with design by Bassey Ita and music by the Opus drummers.
The flood in the second act is the most astonishing thing I have seen on a Calabar stage.Example review, four stars
Dates and seats
Choose a performance.
The calendar shows only this play. Tap a date for times and seats left.
November 2026
Pick a date
Dates with a dot have performances.
Cast
Who you will see.
From the Opus ensemble. Example names for this demo.
Edidiong Archibong
Affiong, the eldest
Uduak Etim
Nse, the middle sister
Mfon Udo
Ini, the youngest
Ekpenyong Eyo
Okon, the creditor
Prices
What a seat costs.
Student tickets need a valid student ID at the door. Under 14 tickets must be with an adult. Example prices for this demo.
| Area | Full | Student | Under 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front stalls | ₦12,000 | ₦7,200 | ₦6,000 |
| Stalls | ₦8,000 | ₦4,800 | ₦4,000 |
| Rear stalls | ₦6,000 | ₦3,600 | ₦3,000 |
| Balcony | ₦4,000 | ₦2,400 | ₦2,000 |
Before you come
Good to know.
Contains a storm sequence with loud thunder and haze
One scene of mild violence
Live drumming throughout
Captioned performance on Thursday 3 December
In rehearsal
Photographs.
Tap a photograph to see it larger.
Is there an interval
Yes, twenty minutes, with the bar and kitchen open.
Can I bring children
The age guide is 12+. It is a guide, not a rule, but children under 2 sit on a lap and need no ticket only at The Lantern Keeper.
What if I arrive late
Latecomers are seated at a suitable break, usually within ten minutes. Front stalls latecomers may be moved to the back of the stalls for that scene.
Can I swap my date
Yes, up to 24 hours before, to any other performance of the same play, for free. Message the box office with your reference.
Also this season
Make a night of two.
The Lantern Keeper
When the lights go out over the creek, a tortoise and a girl must carry the last lantern home.
Mama Ekaette’s Kitchen
The best pepper soup in Calabar, served after midnight, to people who should not be in the same room.
Seats for The Salt Road.
22 performances, 20 November to 13 December 2026. Choose exactly where you sit.