Queen Moremi: The Musical

Queen Moremi: The Musical
MusicKehinde Oritinehin
PremiereDecember 21, 2018: Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos

Queen Moremi: The Musical is a 2018 Nigerian musical about 12th-century queen Moremi Ajasoro. The show was produced by Bolanle Austern-Peters Productions and the House of Oduduwa. It was directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and produced by Joseph Umoibum. The show's music was composed by Kehinde Oritinehin.[1]

Productions

The idea for the musical came about in December 2017.[2] Princess Ronke Ademiluyi approached Austern-Peters to direct the musical.[2]

Paolo Sisiano and Justin Ezirin choreographed the show.[3][1] House of Emisara provided jewelry for the production.[1]

The shown premiered on December 21, 2018 and ran until January 2, 2019, at Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island.[4][5][6]

In April 2019 a 'reloaded' version of the show returned to Lagos for a limited run from 18 April 2019 until 5 May 2019.[7] The show had a third run that December, from 24 December 2019 until 2 January 2020.[8][9]

Premise

The musical follows the story of Moremi, the Yoruba queen who saved the people of Ile-Ife from the Ugbos, who sought to enslave them.[1][10] She makes a pact with the goddess of River Esinmirin in order to find a way to defeat their enemies. She is later captured by the Ugbos, discovers their weakness, and then escapes and returns to Ile-Ife. She leads the final charge, successfully defeating the Ugbos. Esinmirin returns and demands Moremi give her "what is most dear to her".[11]

Cast

Role 2018-2019 Run Reloaded: December 2019
Queen Moremi Tosin Adeyemi,[11] Kehinde Bankole,[12] Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde[13]
Obalufen Deyemi Okanlawon[13]
Olugbo Femi Branch[13][14]
Oranmiyan Rotimi Adelegan[15] Ademiluyi Adelegan[14][16]
Esimirin Lala Akindoju[13][15] Mojisola Kadiri[14][16]
Alaiyemore Toyin Oshinaike[16]
Omoremi Princess Obuseh, Oluwafeyikemi Agbola[16]
Bamike Olawunmi
Bimbo Manuel[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The making of Moremi The Musical". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2019-04-21. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  2. ^ a b "Moremi the Musical goes to US, Europe". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  3. ^ Ugobude, Franklin (2019-07-27). ""Queen Moremi The Musical": Immortalizing a Traditional Legend". The Theatre Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  4. ^ "The Premiere Of Queen Moremi The Musical". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  5. ^ "In Queen Moremi the Musical, BAP, House of Oduduwa tell Yoruba heritage's tale". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  6. ^ Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (2018-11-27). "Queen Moremi 'The Musical': Anticipate the gripping story behind one of Yoruba's greatest queens". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  7. ^ Anazia, Daniel (2019-04-20). "Queen Moremi The Musical returns to stage in Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  8. ^ "Moremi the Musical: The story of an 'African feminist' queen". The Nation Newspaper. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  9. ^ Mgbeahuru, Ransome (2019-12-04). "Queen Moremi The Musical returns to Lagos for Yuletide". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  10. ^ Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (2022-06-21). "Queen Moremi: Did you know about the courageous legend whose statue is the tallest in Nigeria?". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  11. ^ a b Tayo, Ayomide O. (2018-12-24). "Queen Moremi: The Musical, an ancient story that is perfect for these times". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  12. ^ Idowu, Tobi (2018-12-19). "'Playing Queen Moremi allows me to get in touch with my inner soul'". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  13. ^ a b c d "Our Moremi story, by Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, Lala, Bambam, Princess Ademiluyi". Vanguard News. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  14. ^ a b c "'Queen Moremi The Musical: Reloaded'". Pulse Nigeria. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  15. ^ a b Adjei, Sammy (27 November 2018). "Moremi Ajasoro Goes Musical". News Ghana. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  16. ^ a b c d "How cultural activism, women's rights define Moremi The Musical Reloaded". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  17. ^ Nlebem, Anthony (2018-12-19). "Queen Moremi The Musical". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2022-07-29.