Hmmmmmm where to start... we went to see the Fela Musical at the movie theatre it was really great... and fun... and exhilarating and... should I go on....ok you get the point.
We actually wanted to go to London to see it and when I called to get the tickets there were two singles left, but at different rows and so I got off the phone to ask Alheri if we could still go, but when I got back on the phone the tickets were sold out.
So we had to say goodbye to the London dream, but luckily for us there was going to be a one time live broadcast of the show around the world- in high definition.
In Leeds it was at the Vue so, away we went to see Fela! And OMG it was spectacular! The role of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was played by Sahr Ngaujah who did a great job of portraying the energy, passion and charisma of Fela!
Fela! explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith and Ruth & Stephen Hendel.
The singing was exhilarating, the dancing captivating, and the whole cast just made me so so proud.
Parts that especially stood out for me include the spiritual scenes with Melanie Marshall (who played Fumilayo- Fela's mother) singing- really lovely and touching voice.
Another part was where he talked about names and how people from England had English names, those from Germany had German names e.t.c So Basically he was trying to say- names are important and should be reflective of where you are from.
Ok! have to add a personal comment. Really had an aha! moment at that point because I never had an African name but just recently asked my dad why I didn't have one or a middle name for that matter, and he had no answer really... so he gave me an African name- my great grandma's name spelt Zewi but pronounced Zhewi. Sorry for veering off a bit but had to add that.
Finally, the part that absolutely stood out the most and made me laugh so hard was his view on colonialism- "when the tea drinking guests came; diamonds, oil and people went missing, and in exchange they left us with Gonorrhoea and Jesus Christ"
To know more about Fela go to the website @
http://www.fela.net/
View some not too clear pics below.
Alheri
