It was one of the most talked about musicals in 2018. This year, the amazing producers of ‘Legends, Kings and Kingdoms: the Musical’ decided to take things a few steps further and go on tour. After a sold-out showing at Bonny, Rivers and another run at the MUSON Centre in Lagos just after Easter, the nation’s capital was next.
The Abuja experience was no different and sold out the Congress Hall at Transcorp Hilton. We could tell you all about why people were really excited about the show but we’d rather show so you can see for yourselves.
Legends the Musical tells the story of five African heroes…
There was Sango, royal ancestor of the Yoruba, third king of the Oyo Kingdom and the god of Thunder and Lightning, with a double-headed axe which represents swift and balanced justice.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire – now part of modern-day Ghana, who led the war known as the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism.
Neferneferuaten Nefertiti, the Egyptian queen, Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten and devotee of the sun god, Aten.
Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka, King of the Zulus whose military exploits were a torn in the sides of neighbouring tribes and the British in what is modern-day South Africa.
And there was Amina, a Hausa warrior queen of the city-state Zazzau, in what is now in the north-west region of Nigeria whose armies were fearsome and is still celebrated today in traditional Hausa praise songs as “a woman as capable as a man.”
They all answer the call of a distressed priestess to save her people, ‘Modaland,’ from a formidable foe known as the Shadow.
There was a lot of love and romance on display.
At the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, Owerri, Imo StateSome epic fight scenes!
And amazing dance routines. The police officers were undoubtedly the crowd’s favourite.
The show also had a very strong feminist tone with three of the African legends being strong, influential and accomplished women. A timely reminder that women have always been at the centre of great acts of heroism from time immemorial.
The production also boasted supreme star power. From veteran lyricist and actress Yinka Davies who reprised the role of Oya to legendary Crown Troupe of Africa artistic director, Segun Adefila who played Sango.
This show run even saw the debut of popular vocalist Waje, with a voice range probably spanning the entire country.
To put it nicely, Legends is a wildly popular show. It was so popular with theatregoers that it has had two show runs in Lagos when it debuted last year, one in October and another over Christmas. It would not be a stretch to say that this musical will be coming to a theatre stage near you.
Legends was sponsored by the MTN Foundation as part of its Arts and Culture Cause.