Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions (BAP) has kickstart the grand return of its acclaimed stage production, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, to Lagos for the 2025 festive season.
The production, which has enjoyed celebrated performances in Lagos, Abuja, South Africa, Egypt and Dubai, is scheduled to run for 11 shows from Dec. 26 to 30, 2025, and Jan. 1 to 4, as well as Jan. 10 and 11, 2026.
The organisers said the performances would hold daily at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The musical recently recorded a historic milestone with a special performance on Oct. 1 during the official reopening of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, in celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.
Directed by renowned theatre practitioner, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens brings to life the music, activism and enduring legacy of Afrobeat pioneer, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, while spotlighting the fearless women of the Kalakuta Republic.
The production offers an immersive theatrical experience that interrogates post-independence Africa, addressing issues such as greed, corruption, abuse of power, underdevelopment and Africa’s continued ties with former colonial powers.
These themes, conveyed through Fela’s music and personal story, remain relevant in contemporary African societies, the producers said.
Central to the narrative is the unique bond between Fela and the women who left their homes to share his vision of building a revolutionary community through arts and music.
The musical also explores the gender and power dynamics within the Kalakuta Republic, celebrating the women’s fashion, dance and African identity, while challenging longstanding misconceptions about their roles.
Produced and directed by Austen-Peters and co-produced by Mr Joseph Umoibom, the production features a strong cast led by Laitan Adeniji as Fela.
Other cast members include Osas Ighodaro and Yewande Osamein as Malaika, Bunmi Olunloyo as Lamile, Sharon Adaeze as Laide, Inna Erinze as Funmilayo, Linda Nwanneka as Ihase, Josephine Ewuru as Adejonwo, among others.
According to the producers, the return of the musical to Lagos, where Fela’s legacy was forged, promises renewed energy, deeper storytelling and a richer theatrical experience.
They added that the production would offer theatre lovers and first-time audiences an electrifying celebration of music, culture, resistance and legacy during the festive season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fela and the Kalakuta Queens has returned to Lagos for special festive season performances, rekindling excitement among theatre lovers and fans of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
NAN added that the production was electrifying, amazing and mind-blowing, featuring stunning costumes, captivating stage displays, compelling drama and rich musical renditions that brought the story vividly to life.
The audience was visibly thrilled by the high-energy performance, applauding the cast for their powerful delivery and seamless choreography, which sustained engagement throughout the show.
The production further reaffirmed its status as a landmark African musical, celebrating Fela’s legacy while showcasing the depth of Nigerian theatre artistry, and positioning Lagos once again as a vibrant hub for world-class stage performances during the festive season.
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