Wole Soyinka’s theatrical debut, A Dance of the Forests was presented at the Nigerian Independence celebrations in October 1960. In it, Soyinka reveals the rotten aspects of the society and demonstrates that the past is no better than the present when it comes to the seamy side of life. Soyinka lays bare the fabric of the Nigerian society and warns people as they are on the brink of a new stage in their history. The present critical study seeks to assess and examine the text from the point of view of Soyinka’s craft, his gift of satire and irony as well as characterization for the benefit of students in our universities. Shakti Batra has been Vice-Principal, Dyal Singh College (University of Delhi), has also taught at the Kabul University and the University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. Wole Soyinka’s theatrical debut, A Dance of the Forests was presented at the Nigerian Independence celebrations in October 1960. In it, Soyinka reveals the rotten aspects of the society and demonstrates that the past is no better than the present when it comes to the seamy side of life. Soyinka lays bare the fabric of the Nigerian society and warns people as they are on the brink of a new stage in their history. The present critical study seeks to assess and examine the text from the point of view of Soyinka’s craft, his gift of satire and irony as well as characterization for the benefit of students in our universities.