Friday Treat recently sat with some of the cast of ‘The Theory of Breakfast’, namely David Riyo, Uzoamaka Onuoha and David Eyo, to discuss their roles in the Africa Magic Original, the theories behind being served ‘breakfast’ and why the series is a must-watch for audiences around the world.
How excited were you when you got that call to be in the cast of ‘The Theory of Breakfast’?
David Eyo: I was excited and was ready to take on the role of Mandela. First off, it was all God and it has been God.
Describe your early life? Did you have anyone in your family who had a foot hold in Nollywood?
David Eyo: My father made me transfer from Bacbcock University to the University of Calabar. He said, ‘You know what? You’re going to do Theatre Arts and you’re going to do it all over again’. Trust me, at that point, I hated my father because I felt like he was taking one year of my life from me again. This was coming from someone that had failed so much even up to summer class. I had no interest in Mass Communication. It took a different turn from me when I started Theatre Arts. I became Mr Tefa, I starred in more productions. It opened my eyes to the dream of who I’ve always wanted to me. Did I know if it was going to work out? If I’m being honest, maybe like a 70 percent chance because I just knew that Calabar was too small for me. So, I made up my mind that I was going to do everything to put myself out there and do everything that would make me come into the limelight. I partook in Nigerian Idol, I did The Voice, pageants, things that would make me rooted in Lagos and I was very intentional about it. I really wanted this part and I’m grateful to God that this is the life that I chose, that I’m living.
How would you describe your feeling when you discovered that you were going to be part of the cast for this series?
David Riyo: In one word, excitement would embody it. At the time, I had not done anything significant on TV. For me, it was an incredible opportunity so I think I was very excited to be part of the cast TTOB. It’s a huge career boost for me. So yes, I was excited about it.
Which movies or series have you been in before this one or is this the first?
David Riyo: This would be the first in a lead role capacity but I’m featured in ‘Walking with Shadows’. It’s on Amazon Prime, you can check that out. I’m presently working on a really awesome film, ‘All the colours of the world are between black and white’. There are other ones but I only dwelt on the ones I was endeared too. As an artist, you get scripts, you like it, you are excited about it. That’s how I felt with these two.
How has the journey into the movie industry been for you?
David Riyo: It’s been quite the story if I think back to the journey leading up to this moment. Unlike David Eyo, my parents didn’t want to let me do this. My parents are deacons. My father is a deacon, my mother served in the choir and learning that I was going to do this was a chaotic moment at home. I still remember filling Theatre Arts on my JAMB form with opposition around me. I had a vision, a strong one since I was young. I would role play after watching a movie or a wrestling match. Even in my formative years, I strongly believed this is what I wanted to do and so I chose to study Theatre Arts. Funny enough, my mother didn’t believe that this is what I would do until she saw me in ‘The Johnsons’ because that’s her favourite show. She didn’t believe it. It was amazing. She was really excited. It’s pretty short but that’s how it was.
Uzo, you played Laolu in TTOB series. How was that for you?
Uzoamaka Onuoha: In all honesty, Laolu mentally stressed me. I questioned her choices every time. I’m like, who does that?! However, it was interesting to play a character like Laolu. It was different from the characters I usually embody so that was a good one. I judged her from the outside but I had to love her to portray her. I had to believe everything the screenwriters wrote to embody her well.
It wasn’t stressful but it was tough. I was always shouting ‘No, No’ at her role at every point in time. That’s what I meant by it t was stressful in a way.
The title of the series is ‘The Theory of Breakfast’? Do you think that the series depicts the parlance ‘breakfast’ in Nigeria or in the world in general?
Uzoamaka: Yes, I honestly think the series was honest with the things the characters had to go through. I get that there might be many people that wouldn’t be able to relate but there might be someone else out there who is actually living that life. I’ve seen people say yes, they have been ‘mumu’ for love in so many ways. So, I feel like it’s quite honest in the depiction of ‘breakfast’ being served.
So, the situation between ‘Vodka’ and her guy in the series, how did you deal with that. I remember a time, she saw a picture where her boyfriend was cozy with another woman. Were you calm and collected? What did you think about that role?
Uzoamaka: Well, I think I followed what the script told me to do. My favourite couple is Vodka and Mandi. It was so well written. The performance from the actors was epic. Mandela is here. Kudos to you! When I saw episode one, I was in her DM saying ‘Girl, don’t play!’ Incredible translations and interpretation of their characters. That’s by the way. The scene you asked about, my character was just trying to calm her down and water down the situation. In real time though, i think I would still do the same. Just come up with excuses and try to salvage the situation. I think it was quite relatable for Laolu at that point.
How would you describe Gbolahan’s role as Vodka’s father? Or Gbolahan as a person as Vodka’s father in the series?
Uzoamaka: Firstly, every individual’s portrayal of their character in the series. If I go on like this, they’ll think I’m lying. I think Gbolahan did an exceptional job and I remember watching and people hated his character which means he did really well. The truth is that there are actually fathers in real life that are like that, whether or not we accept it. Fathers that have flings with friends of their children, deadbeats and just not seeing eye to eye with their children. So, that was totally relatable and I really enjoyed his performance.
I’ll like you to describe Laolu in three words. While doing that, do you agree with Laolu’s philosophy that seeking closure is demonic and maybe an avenue to chopping more breakfast?
Uzoamaka: Don’t seek closure no matter what it is. That is such a waste of time. I mean most times we want to understand the meaning behind things, like why do they not want me? Or maybe I could have been the problem? But, at the end of the day, you always find out, now this is why I left. This is why it didn’t work out so closure is not necessary. I stand for that. Don’t read your book backwards. You read your book from the front page so don’t double back. Describing Laolu in three words; Stressful, bad decisions, a sweet girl.
Ebitimi. I know you have profound love for Laolu and Lamide. I want you to talk to me about that.
David Riyo: To be very honest, I realised that the heart wants what it wants. Love is an ambiguous concept and I don’t think any human being has been able to grab the entirety of the concept. One is romantic and one is just agape love right? But because of incidences that happened before, it tends to like they say in old parlance: Old firewood still dey catch fire. There’s no reason why, whether fictional or reality that someone will just see a loved one and ruin something that you think is beautiful at the moment. There must be that emotional connection.
You were a lover boy or a play boy?
David Riyo: I am not a playboy. There’s a clean line between confusion and being a playboy o. I could tell that the boy was confused because they both reminded him of something that he really wanted in life which is that emotional connection and bond that he saw his parents share. That is before he got the news that they want to get a divorce. If two people remind you of something you want, it means you could just have high grade for both of them. I think that was Ebitimi’s thought process. He wanted to have both. It was intense and confusing but I’ll still say I love both of them equally honestly.
The series has about 23 episodes, what is your view on the entire storyline and the plot of the series?
David Eyo: I’ll stick to what I like about it. I like the title of the series: ‘The Theory of Breakfast’. That was what endeared me to the story. We keep hearing the word ‘breakfast’ so what does it even mean? I thought it was going to be a story that replicated what it means to be served breakfast. I also thought it was just going to be a story of my character and two ladies but then I realized that it has many sub plots. My cousin was either sending or receiving, my parents were preparing their own…
David Riyo: I enjoyed the sub plots more because that’s what contributed to the story and made in interesting. The fact that this guy was dealing with his own emotional heartache and his parents are dealing with theirs… This means both plots would intertwine at a point in time. It was a heavier load for my character Ebitemi. I’m yet to resolve my situation so I’ll want to discuss with my parents but that opportunity is not there because they’re also dealing with their own issues. I think the sub plot is very interesting. I also enjoyed how the film was made; the graphics and the production especially now that I’m watching the finished product.
Mandela, what would you say about that? What is your view about the storyline and plot of the series.
David Eyo: I totally love the idea of the different types of breakfast that was served. I liked that each character that has a love interest had a different version of breakfast. It wasn’t the same thing. My character and Vodka; our kind of breakfast was the one that people ought to break up but there’s something that keeps bringing them back together. It was very volatile. Then, there was the stereotypical scenario where there’s a guy, there’s a best friend and the main chick. There are parents having issues. There’s a friend of a friend sleeping with the friend’s father. It just captured every version of breakfast you can think of. It was properly thought out. Now that I’m even hearing David and Uzo speak about it, it just makes more sense. Everybody is getting breakfast one way or another. It might not be the same. I could be easting Indomie and egg, you could be eating rice. I feel like it was beautiful body of work.
In your opinion, would you say that the series was culturally appropriate?
David Eyo: Yes, if we’re being honest, there are things Nigerians don’t like bringing to the limelight. Typically, people are used to young people having breakfast. Seeing older people ‘chop breakfast’ too shows that it’s not just in our generation. It’s not a Gen Z thing, it’s a collective breakfast for every generation. It was beautiful.
David Riyo: Very much. It’s relevant to the times. If you doubt it, just open Instagram, surf the internet. I’m sure the word ‘breakfast’ would pop up.
This is for Uzo, as one of the cast members, you want to tell someone why he or she should see the series, what would you say?
Uzoamaka: I’ll say to people who haven’t seen the show to see the show. It’s a really good show. It’s fun. I think it’s chaotically fun. I think the promotional picture where we’re all at a long dinner table depicts how chaotic the series. It is chaotically pleasing. You have to see the show!
So, we should just enjoy the theories of breakfast?
Uzoamaka: Yes, take some clues. You could learn. Most of the relationships in TTOB has a certain level of toxicity in them but then you see them table out their matter and self reflect. I think people get to reflect and check their attitudes in their relationships. The show is educational and fun.
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