Like most legends of his class, Afrobeat Icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, got a well-deserved big stage story, though zoomed on the women who were his vital props in his art, life and struggles. The stage musical play that was created in 2017 by super talented Nigerian movie and theatre director, and lawyer, Bolanle Austen-Peters, has since been shipped across the continent, receiving overwhelming consumption in Cairo Egypt, Pretoria South Africa, Lagos and Abuja.
Bolanle founded Terra Kulture, the foremost Nigerian Art and Culture centre located in Lagos, in 2003, as an educational and recreational organization “to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture”. It is safe to avouch that her vision has become a benefactor to the Nigeria brand, selling a narrative of hard work, focus and courage of conviction to the entire continent through media 90% of the world cannot refuse – drama, music!
In recent news, Freelanews gathered that BAP Productions and Terra Kulture Arts and Studios, in collaboration with the South African State Theatre (SAST) have concretized a partnership with Ster-Kinekor, the leading South African Cinema chain, to screen Bolanle Austen-Peters’ FELA AND THE KALAKUTA QUEENS in cinemas across South Africa from September to October 2021.
FELA AND THE KALAKUTA QUEENS will be the first Nigerian stage play to be converted to screen. And most importantly, will be making its show on one of Africa’s largest cinema networks. It is noteworthy to mention that Ster Kinekor is South Africa’s largest movie exhibitor. It represents 60-65% of the market, having 55 cinema complexes consisting of 400 screens and 64,000 seats.
Bolanle Austen-Peters expressed her excitement on the partnership with Aubrey Sekabi, the Artistic Director of the South African State Theatre and Nigeria indeed is the most excited with yet an opportunity to project a different image beyond the vices to the Rainbow Nation and the Madiba People.
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