Wakaa! The Musical

Wakaa! The Musical is a Nigerian musical written by Tunde Babalola and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters.[1][2] The show follows four young adults after they graduate from university.

Premise

Four young adults, Rex, Kike, Tosan, and Nogzi, all with different backgrounds and experiences, graduate from university and set out to start their adult lives. Kike, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, focuses on living luxuriously rather than pursuing a career. Tosan, who falls in love with Kike, pursues politics, but soon realizes how much corruption is present in the field. Ngozi returns to her village, determined to be an activist who stops child labor and trafficking. Rex travels to England to meet up with his long-distance girlfriend Cassandra and be a dancer on the West End, rather than study to be a doctor like his parents wish.[3][4] Cassandra turns out to be Bilikisu Kekereekun, a Nigerian man who catfished Rex. Ultimately, Rex is deported, Ngozi's activism takes down corrupt Governor Sagay, Tosan is elected as the new governor, and Kike reignites her relationship with Tosan.[5]

Productions

The show premiered in late 2015 in Nigeria. In early 2016 the show reportedly played to over 10,000 people over 12 performances in Lagos.[1]

The production ran on the West End at the Shaw Theatre from 21-25 July 2016, making it the first Nigerian musical to be performed in London.[1][6][7] All its performances sold out.[8][9] Due to this success, Austen-Peters expressed interest in taking the show to Broadway.[3]

The show returned to Lagos in April 2017.[10] In September 2017 the show had a week-long run in Abuja.[11][5]

Cast
Role 2015 Lagos[12] 2016 West End[13]
Rex Jolomi Amuka
Kike Arese Emokpae
Tosan Patrick Diabuah
Ngozi Ade Laoye
Ahmed Segun Dada
Alero Dolapo Oni
Gov. Otunba Sagay Bimbo Manuel
Prof. Basuaye Lord Frank Paul Adams
Mama Ke Mawuyon Ogun
Prof. Jojoba Ozzy Agu
Cletus Chris Ubani
Kikelomo Johnson Nengi Adoki
Bilikisu Kekereekun

Reception

The musical saw great success in Lagos, consistently reporting sold-out shows and a diverse audience.[10] Reviews praised the show's music, costumes, and choreography, although the story was considered weak by some critics.[12]

References
  1. Page, Thomas (2016-03-16). "Stage sensation "Wakaa!" becomes first Nigerian musical to hit London". CNN. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  2. Onuoha, Chris (26 November 2015). "'Wakaa the Musical' unveils with intrigues, betrayals". Vanguard News. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  3. Gaffey, Conor (2016-07-26). "Nigerian Musical Targets Broadway After London Stint". Newsweek. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  4. "Smash Nigerian musical ready to wow London". China Daily. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  5. "In Abuja, Wakaa dramatises dark side of Nigerian life". Punch Newspapers. 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  6. "From Lagos to London". BBC News. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  7. "Bimbo Manuel, Dolapo Oni hit London for Wakaa the Musical". The Nation. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. "Wakaa! The Musical is first Nigeria play performed in London to a sold-out audience [PHOTOS]". Daily Post Nigeria. 2016-08-05. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  9. A, Temitope (2016-08-05). "Bolanle Austen-Peters' play is the first Nigerian play to be sold out in London". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  10. Utor, Florence (2017-05-10). "Wakaa! the Musical's Easter thrill lifts Nigerian theatre". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  11. "Wakaa! The Musical storms Abuja today". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  12. Ugobude, Franklin (2017-06-05). "Frank Ugobude: Wakaa The Musical – A Review". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  13. "All You Need to Know About 'Wakaa The Musical'". Encomium. 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
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