5 Nigerian Musicals You Need to Know

A thrill ride through Nigeria's biggest musicals...

Fela's Republic & the Kalakuta Queens' on Stage in Pretoria (2019) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

Experience the best of Nigerian theatre with BAP

Bolanle Austen-Peters aka BAP is a name that has become synonymous with Nigerian theatre, having produced and directed Nigeria’s biggest stage plays and musicals, raising the bar with each production and gaining global acclaim and recognition through multiple accolades. Over the years, Bolanle-Austen Peters Productions has developed a reputation as the nerve center for Nigerian theatre, as it frequently hosts stage productions every Sunday throughout the year. Through these highly entertaining and memorable plays, musicals, and dance performances, BAP Productions continues to show its commitment to showcasing the best of Nigerian theatrical culture through the promotion and development of the performing arts.

The cast pose on stage before their debut performance (2017-12-01)Terra Kulture

#1: Fela's Republic & the Kalakuta Queens

Fela’s Republic & the Kalakuta Queens chronicles Fela’s birth and activism. It explores the life of the legend Fela, and the women that were an integral part of his band. Fela's Republic & The Kalakuta Queens has gone on to become the biggest musical out of West Africa having had over 120,000 people watch it and being shown in Lagos, Cairo and down south in Pretoria between 2017 and 2020.

Fela's Republic & The Kalakuta Queens' (2019) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

First performed in December 2017. BAP Productions brought to life the legendary Afrobeats Icon and activist, Fela Kuti in this globally acclaimed musical.

Sharon Adaeze plays "Kevwe" (2017-12-09) by BAP ProductionsTerra Kulture

A unique insight into Kalakuta Republic reveals the women and their unique fashion, dance and African identity.

"Moremi Ajasoro!!" (2018) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

#2: Moremi

Moremi the musical relives the legendary 12th century Yoruba story of a woman who sacrificed everything; her marriage, her son and even the risk of death in order to secure the future of the people of Ile-Ife. It was first performed in December 2018. Nobel Prize winning Author, Wole Soyinka described “Moremi The Musical” as a theatrical landmark in the Nigerian theatre history.

The World Is a Market (2018) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

Daughter of one of Ife’s bravest hunter-warriors, Lukugba, and Princess Olunbe of Offa; Moremi was raised to question injustice and stand up for the oppressed no matter who they were or where they came from.

"Guide me!" (2018) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

When Love came calling, she answered but there are prices to pay.

Running Mate B-Mama (2017) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

#3: WAKAA!

The Musical Wakaa! is a musical about the trials, successes and experiences of graduates with varied backgrounds, a wager between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. Eventually, they reunite, coming full circle. WAKAA! is the first Nigerian Musical to be staged in London’s West End, and recorded a historic sold out show at the Shaw theatre in London.

Oya Make We Wakaa!! (2017) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

The story reveals the struggles and challenges young people face in present-day Nigeria and abroad.

Mortarboard (2017) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

The story reveals the struggles and challenges young people face in present-day Nigeria and abroad. WAKAA! takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a strong satire of Nigeria’s politics.

The Cast of BAP Production's Man Enough (2020) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

#4: Man Enough

Man Enough is a monologue in three voices. It is the voice of the man crying to be heard, yelling to be saved from a world that thinks he is ‘Super Man’; it is the story of man and the fear to speak; it is the story of man speaking for the first time.

Man Enough Trailer (2019) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

Through the lives of these three everyday men, Man Enough x-rays the reality of today’s man as he tries to create his world in today’s upwardly mobile society. More than ever before we see man’s vulnerability; we see his fear and most of all, we see the choices he has to make for self, family and society as he tries to maintain the traditional masculinity.

"What's it going to be...?" (2020) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

For the first time on stage, we are faced with the various pressure the man has to struggle with; financial pressure, pressure of being rejected or accepted by the women folk, pressure from the extended family and the general pressure society puts on the man in his quest to prove that he is man enough.

The Star cast of Saro the Musical (2013) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

#5: Saro

Saro The Musical' is the story of four young men who, determined to break free from the yoke of frustration and lack of opportunities to explore their talents and realize their dreams, decide to embark on a journey to Lagos - the land of opportunity. Saro the Musical enjoyed numerous accolades and reviews from international media houses including the BBC and SKY News.

'Saro The Musical' Opening (2015) by BAP ProductionsOriginal Source: Terra Kulture

A devastating experience lands them in the lap of destiny, success ignites them and love fuels them.

Credits: Story

BAP Productions; Terra Kulture

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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