9th February, 2011
On Sunday 6 February, FELA!, the most critically acclaimed musical broadway on the life and times of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was finally screened in Lagos, Nigeria.
The screening, which saw hundreds of Felaâ€
“It was natural that it would be nice to show this in Lagos and in the Shrine, so the (National Theatre) provided a high-quality recording for us to show,†David Higgs, Country Director of the British Council told Showbiz Trends at the Shrine.
Ojoma Ochai, Assistant Director, Nigeria, British Council adds: “As you understand what we are screening here today (Sunday) is the production of FELA! In London. The British Council, as you know, create relationship between the people in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. So, we felt a production in London that tells a story of a great Nigerian like Fela would be a good way to nurture that relationship. Thatâ€
She said the council will be fully involved in the live show of the broadway coming up in March with the entire cast of the original show in Nigeria for the musical.
FELA! according to Bill T. Jones, the Tony Award winning director and choreographer of the musical, is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Felaâ€
“I think the manâ€
FELA! tells the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.
“I think this show puts Fela at centre stage. Itâ€
Odebunmi, who spent most of her life in England said the English people loved Felaâ€
“Fela was a Pan-Africanist. He further internationalised Pidgin language in most of his songs. Ordinarily, element of such should have been incorporated in the musical. But that aside, its an excellent production in honour of a genius like Fela,†she said.
Motivated by his mother, a civil rights activist, Fela, defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.