TELLING the story of the old generation to the new generation doesn’t come easy. But this was made possible by Playhouse Initiative that presented its stage play titled ‘Kakadu the Musical’, a play that uses its namesake, Kakadu nightclub, as the stage for a fictional story about the patrons of the nightclub and how they were affected by what were very trying times in Nigeria as a young republic. Using music and dance, the play tells how the coups, civil war and events thereafter affected their lives.
Kakadu was one of the few nightclubs on the Lagos social scene in the 60s and early 70s. Very early in his career, the late great Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his Koola Lobitos performed there on many occasions before he embarked on his famous trip to America. Other great Nigerian musicians such as Roy Chicago and Rex Lawson also made Kakadu their play spot.
According to the Partner and Head of the Media, Entertainment and IP Practice of Olajide Oyewole LLP, Sandra Oyewole, “The use of plays, films documentaries etc, to tell history is a practice proven to be effective across all age groups. What makes this musical special is that it is a Nigerian story told by a Nigerian to Nigerians, about Nigerians using Nigerian music.”
Oyewole dded : “There are many Nigerian stories waiting to be told and while financing is a challenge, there is a ready-made audience nationwide for plays, films and documentaries of this kind.”
As Lagosians flocked to the MUSON Centre to catch the performances, it was apparent that this musical had captured their attention. The reveting story was written by Mr Uche Nwokedi (SAN) who doubles as the plays’ executive producer. The cast included veterans actors like Norbert Young and Tina Mba. Other notable cast members included Bongolipso, Patrick Diabuah, Zara Udofia and Damilare Kuku.
Versatile Benneth Ogbeiwi, the brilliant Adrenaline Band, choreographers, dancers and crew were also included. Bearing in mind Nigeria’s rich history and cultural heritage, there needs to be many more audio visual productions capturing these stories.
The Playhouse Initiative was formally established in 2007 by Uche and Winifred Nwokedi, has a standing choral group of 30 people called The Playhouse Voices and a choir of 16 voices. It has staged a number of musical plays which include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoa and Jesus Christ Superstar to mention a few.
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