A Nigerian story promises to impress
JOBURG – Thrills and chills at Joburg Theatre, for the run of the new production, Kakadu.
Joburg Theatre’s got a new and exciting production for Joburgers to enjoy in June.
Set to hit Jozi stages this June, Kakadu – The Musical is a vibrant stage show that tells the story of the heady period in post-independent Nigeria, and into the dark days of the Biafra War, which tore the country apart along tribal lines. The musical is set to thrill South African audiences for a two-week run from 8 to 18 June.
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It uses the popular nightspot, Kakadu as a metaphor for this intoxicating period of sheer optimism and hope, narrating the story through an intriguing set of characters who’ve all made their way to the capital of Nigeria, and meet at Kakadu.
It is against this background that the Biafra War breaks out, shattering this patriotic idyll – people retreat into their ethnic corners and Lord Lugard, bandleader and manager of the legendary nightclub, finds himself battling to maintain equilibrium for himself and the club in the new, hostile environment.
This heartbreaking story of a magical moment lost forever, and the shattering aftermath of civil war is told through the insistent and mesmerising beats of Nigerian high-life, American soul, traditional Igbo and Yoruba folk music, as well as Afrobeat and contemporary Nigerian sounds. The musical, which debuted in 2013 has since enjoyed successful runs in Davos, Switzerland and Nigeria.
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The brainchild of executive producer, Uche Nwokedi, Kakadu was conceived partly in response to the scarcity of musical theatre in Nigeria, and also as an escape from the tedium of his career as a legal practitioner.
“I am very much a child of the 60s and 70s, and remember all too well what a magical and bittersweet era that was. In Kakadu, I wanted to create a production that communicated this exhilarating, tragic time in our country’s history. That said, although it is a quintessentially Nigerian story, I do believe Kakadu will resonate with South African audiences – there are many common themes that local audiences will relate to,” commented Nwokedi.
Details: Joburg Theatre 086 1670 670; 011 877 6853/6855
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