Austen-Peters takes Wakaa to London

By Udemma Chukwuma

Austen-Peters with others

Wakaa the Musical, a Bolanle Austen-Peters’ production, will be showing in London from the 21st to the 25th of July, at the Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road London’s West End. Austin-Peters, who is the producer and director of Wakaa, reveals this at a press briefing in Lagos today. 

Austen-Peters expresses her excitement as Wakaa will be presented to the London audience for the first time. “This is coming in response to growing interests in productions of African origin across the globe, and various calls for us to take this production to the international community,” she said.

Austen-Peters who is also the CEO of Terra Kulture, hints that “There is a large Nigerian and Afro - Caribbean population in London, who are interested and yearning to see world class productions such from Nigeria.”

She of the view that Wakaa the Musical has the potential to boost cultural diplomacy and promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria abroad. A socio cultural and contemporary entertainment production, Wakaa The Musical in London she says will celebrate the diverse yet homogeneous people and culture of Nigeria, which has attracted the endorsement and support of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the National Pension Commission and the Bank of Industry.

This will be the first time a Nigerian Musical will be showing at London’s West End. The cast members of the production are Bimbo Manuel, Patrick Diabua, Nengi Adoki, Dolapo Oni, Ozzy Agu, Jolomi Amuka, amongst others.

The show dates and time, July 21 – 7pm, July 22 – 7pm, July 23 - 3pm, 7pm, July 24 - 3pm and 7pm and July 25 - 7pm.

Wakaa The Musical is a play 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. The story reveals the struggles and challenges young people face in present day Nigeria and abroad. Wakaa The Musical takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a strong satire of Nigeria’s politics. A family-orientated 2-hour stage musical extravaganza of drama, comedy, live music and dance, Wakaa The Musical explores the scheming, intrigues, betrayals and games people play in life.