An audio adaptation of the popular Broadway musical FELA! will premiere on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16 on the popular drop-in audio chart platform, Clubhouse.
The adaptation, titled ‘Fela Ten Twenty’ will feature a new interpretation of Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis’ original FELA! Script, framing the ongoing #EndSars movement in the context of Fela Kuti’s legacy. It was written and directed by filmmaker Funa Maduka.
The Writer-Director, Funa Maduka said “Fela’s music, the foundation for Afrobeat, demanded global engagement with African political thought
“In the aftermath of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality, his message still achingly resounds. This production is a love letter to those fighting for a better Nigeria.”
FELA! is a musical based on Fela Kuti’s music and lyrics. It mostly focuses on the life events of the father of Afrobeat and portrays him during the days when he was the target of 1,000 government soldiers assigned to end his performances at the legendary Lagos nightclub The Shrine.
The premiere of the audio adaptation was announced by Stephen Hendel, the original lead producer of FELA!.
“Fela belongs to Nigeria, Africa and the world,” said Hendel. “It is a thrill to have the show reimagined by a team of young, creative Nigerians. I’m proud to support these artists who have come together to honor Fela Kuti’s legacy with such immense commitment and dedication.”
Proceeds from the show will support GEANCO, whose David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship provides full tuition, healthcare, and social and psychological support to young female survivors of terrorism and gender inequality.
Fela Ten Twenty will feature an all new interpretation of Bill T. Jones’ and Jim Lewis’ Original FELA! Script, framing the ongoing #EndSars movement in the context of Fela Kuti’s legacy.
The cast features performers from Nigeria, the U.K., and the U.S., including Sir Marcell as Fela Kuti, Jumoké Fashola as Funmilayo Kuti, NC Grey as Najite-a Kalakuta Queen, Nneamaka Nwadei as Omolara-a Kalakuta Queen, Malikat Rufai as Sandra Izsadore, Uche Ogodi as J.K. Braimah, Comfort Dangana as DJ Switch, Adeola Adebari as Tunde, Muhammed Agboluaje as the Driver, LaToya Ransom as the Radio Journalist, and Aliu Ajala as the Babalawo.
Fela Ten Twenty is produced by Maduka, original Fela! producer Stephen Hendel, and Ọlabimpe Ọlaniyan. Kingsley Okorie and Benjamin James of The Cavemen are music directors with Marcellus Wesley as technical director and sound designer, Ellen Marte as VFX director and graphic designer and Amanda Ezechi as marketing director.
Consulting on the production are: Sahr Ngaujah, Actor, Director, Producer and Original Fela of the Broadway Show, FELA!; Robert Kaplowitz, Tony Award-Winning Sound Designer of the Broadway Show, FELA!; and Abena Koomson-Davis, Educator and Original Cast Member of the Broadway Show, FELA!.
The spark for this ambitious production came when a group of four friends, Eniola Mafe, Omolola Adele-Oso, Chinedu Enekwe and Audu Maikori, were inspired to host a table read of FELA! on Clubhouse to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the close of the show’s Broadway run. They approached Maduka to direct, who pitched reimagining it, and the audio play adaptation was born.
OkayAfrica, the digital media platform dedicated to African culture, music, and politics, is the Official Media Sponsor of Fela Ten Twenty.