Thursday, September 12, 2013

SARO The Musical… The Big Broadway-style Theatrical Project Steps Out Boldly

The formal introduction of the Broadway-style theatrical production, SARO The Musical to the Nigerian public was held on Tuesday September 10 in the function hall of Terra Kulture on Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. 

In attendance were carefully selected notable names in Nigeria theatrical circuit, the art academic world, patrons of the Creative industries, potential sponsors, as well as senior Arts and Culture journalists from nearly all the leading media houses.



The Producer, Mrs Bolanle austen peters (2nd left) with from left, the actress, Joke Silva, the veteran actress, Taiwo Ajai-lycett and the Consul-general of the French Embassy, Francoise Sastourne


Those who witnessed the official unveiling of the big theatre dream included Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Disun Holloway; renowned actress, Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett , fondly called matriarch of the Nigerian stage;  renowned dramatist, director and culture journalist, Ben Tomoloju; former Artistic Director of National Troupe of Nigeria, and current Dean of Humanities at the Redeemer University, Professor Ahmed Yerima; lawyer, art patron, Mrs Myma Belo-Osagie; popular actress, and now managing Director of the Malete Film Village, Mrs. Joke Silva; and renowned TV personality and CEO of EbonyTV, Mo Abudu. There was also the Consul General of the French Embassy, Francoise Sastourne.  Others included Dr Tunde Awosanmi, a teacher of directing from University of Ibadan; Mr Deji Toye a lawyer, playwright and poet; and Mr Ola Fajemisin, manager programme at the Nigeria Television Authority. 


The club of celebrities was led by the afro-pop musical icon, Innocent Idibia aka TuFace; and included, the actress Kate Henshaw; and On-Air personalities, Steve Onu aka Yaw of WazobiaFM, Chris Ihidero of TopFM, and Wana Udobong of Inspiration FM, among others. 

The producer Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters with TuFace Idibia

Among potential sponsors were representatives from telecom, oil , and other multinational companies, and financial institutions. Other institutions include Lagos State Government; Africa Magic; Ebonylife Tv; Flytime Tv and Oleander.

The intention of the preview, according to the producer of the show, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, was to showcase the progress so far recorded since rehearsals commenced on August 9. 


The premiere of the show slated for October 25 through the 27th at the new banquet hall of the Lagos Oriental Hotel at 3 Lekki  Road, Lagos,  was still six (6) weeks away but the producer, and her team of directors, said they felt confident enough to exhibit the progress so far – to “assure Nigerians that we were serious when we said we are going to give them the biggest and most impressive theatrical offering in recent times.”


Expectations were of course high among the 50-odd guests who witnessed the preview, especially as the hall had been primed ready with the stage bearing the ambience of a full-scale performance. The backdrop had a golden design of the name of the show, and there was a miniature set ready to host the preview. 


As guests settled into the hall a short documentary on the making of the Broadway-style show played on two giant screens. The documentary revealed how the dream was born; nurtured and how it has gradually moved towards realisation with the four weeks of rehearsals. The process of auditioning, which drew participation of a huge number of mostly youths, and the subsequent workshops that produced the final script and as well the cast, was also shown in the documentary. These snapshots of experiences elucidated on the seriousness of the project and the quality of the vision albeit the genuine-ness of the intentions of the producer and her team. 



Cross section of guets: Lagos comm for Tourism, Disun Holloway (2nd left) with Art patron, Mrs Myma Belo-Osagie 

Next came the launch of the radio jingle and TV promos, which were expected to break out on the various broadcast stations from this week. 

The creator and producer of the musical, Mrs. Austen-Peters, also founder, Managing Director of the famous art centre, Terra Kulture, leading the guests into the vision that birthed SARO The Musical said over seven-years engagement with theatrical production and promotion through the Theatre@Terra scheme, had imbued her organisation, Terra Kulture, with the capacity and boldness to envision a grand theatrical package of the magnitude of the musical.
                "We are not afraid to embark on a project of this scale because we have been through it all in the past seven years. We have encountered lot of challenges in running the Theatre@ Terra but we have also mastered how to surmount the challenges; so we understand the way to handle a project of this magnitude”, she said to wide applause from the audience.


She continued: "through our engagement with the Theatre, we have been able to create over 500 jobs for both young and old. We believe that it is only in the art that our country has comparative advantage and; though there is no funding from government or private individuals, many people like musical stars TuFace, D’Banj and others have triumphed against all odds”. She also made reference to the success already recorded by the local film industry otherwise called Nollywood, which through private sector investment and willpower, has been described as the third largest film industry in the world. 


A vividly determined and elated Austen-Peters, enthused that Theatre@Terra, and now SARO The Musical are driven by similar enterprising spirit and sheer determination that have led to the international breakthroughs of Nigeria’s music and movie industry. She noted, “Nigerians are some of the smartest people in the world but because there is no funding in the country to help people realise intelligent ideas, we have not been able to actualise our artistic projects and harness our full potentials in the creative economy. But it is the private sector that can give us the opportunity to achieve these dreams; and help us tackle unemployment among our youths.”


Explaining the journey , Austen-Peters said, the auditioning of SARO… witnessed a large turn-out of about 200 young people of various local and international backgrounds looking for a platform to showcase their talents; and this is something we can do for youths, as a way of securing our future”.






On the process of preparing the musical theatre so far, she said, “Over the past three (3) months we started, other people have come on board to lend support to our dream which they share and believe in. What we have alongside the supports have taken us to where we are right now. Alhaji Teju Kareem, CEO of Z-Mirage, has been outstanding”. She also paid tribute to other partners in the project especially Africa Magic.


With this, the producer invited the guests to savour a foretaste of the SARO The Musical…
Guests were treated to only four of the 14-scenes in the musical. Though mainly the opening sequences, the excerpt was like a dessert to whet the appetite before a sumptuous meal that SARO The Musical really is. 

A lonely drummer burst on stage and set the tone for a rich tapestry of exquisite orchestra performance conducted by Ayo Ajayi, an infectious love story between a dreamful guitar player/singer, Olaitan, and his beautiful love, Rume. The scene was steeply romantic; and as the two young lovers went through cadences of emotions, not a few in the audience was driven to near tear. 

The love scene soon devolved into a splash of spectacles – music, dance, acrobatic displays, stunts, rich costuming, colourful lighting and tips of the numerous twists and turns of experiences that first time visitors to a bustling city of Lagos would encounter. There was so much laughter lines, quick jives and pulsating rhythms of human experiences and oddities — all that combine to capture the bubbly soul of the city of Lagos. 

It is basically the story of four ambitious young men who left their rural homestead in search of hope and fulfillment in a strange city of Lagos. The play captures their various experiences as they seek realisation of their dreams and career fulfillment in the land of freedom -- Lagos. It is a story of adventure, youthful dreams, sheer determination to succeed; and eventual hope; a very positive, hopeful story indeed. 

After the excerpt, a few members of the audience were invited to offer comment on what they had witnessed: 

First to comment was Prof. Yerima, a playwright and director himself, who expressed appreciation to Mrs. Austen-Peters for coming up with the project; which is needed at this time of a seeming cultural renaissance in the country. He also appreciated the engagement of the youths to execute the project, saying that Nigerian youths have incredible talents that should be fully tapped through projects such as SARO... Yerima, however, warned that the directors should ensure that the length of the play is not too long; and the pace is evenly measured; so as to sustain the interest of the audience.

The Lagos Tourism Commissioner, Holloway, who before his political appointment, had been known as the chief promoter of the Lagos Carnival and Eko Beauty pageant – all of which have now become part of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, LBHF, held over the Easter holiday every year; said he was glad to have been invited to foretaste the musical, which he acknowledged is indeed in the Broadway-style. 

The veteran septuagenarian actress, Mrs. Ajai-Lycett said the bit of the play she saw was "fantastic". She also praised the vision of the creator and producer of the theatrical piece, saying it would go a long way in the revival of big live theatre project in the country. “I am an actor and I love to act; unfortunately, we don’t have enough of theatre in Nigeria. I wish we could have more of it. This is an artistic splendor; we taught the world how to dance but some people took the ovation. Now, with this, we are taking it back to them… 

The veteran septuagenarian actress, Mrs. Ajai-Lycett said the bit of the play she saw was "fantastic". She also praised the vision of the creator and producer of the theatrical piece, saying it would go a long way in the revival of big live theatre project in the country. “I am an actor and I love to act; unfortunately, we don’t have enough of theatre in Nigeria. I wish we could have more of it. This is an artistic splendor; we taught the world how to dance but some people took the ovation. Now, with this, we are taking it back to them… 

The Art patron, chairman of the fledgling Arts and Business Foundation, Mrs Bello Osagie, congratulated the producer, members of cast and crew for a good display of talents and skills. “I can't imagine what it takes to put this together. .. The music is wonderful, very expressive; everybody here should help in publicizing it in a way to help out.”

The popular TV personality and business woman, Mo Abudu, expressed strong support for the SARO… project; and promised to use her company, Ebony TV as medium for rendering her support. She stressed that she would do all things possible to majorly focus on the "glossy side of the story, to the more positive side of the play." 

Representing the voice of the youths was Chris Ihidero of TopFM, who is himself an actor, movie producer, broadcaster and art activist. He said, “The opening music is fantastic! It keeps ringing in my head, amazing music… What you guys have done transcends musical play; I am sure it will sell well to local and international audiences”, he concluded. 

The Art patron, chairman of the fledgling Arts and Business Foundation, Mrs Bello Osagie, congratulated the producer, members of cast and crew for a good display of talents and skills. “I can't imagine what it takes to put this together. .. The music is wonderful, very expressive; everybody here should help in publicizing it in a way to help out.”


The popular TV personality and business woman, Mo Abudu, expressed strong support for the SARO… project; and promised to use her company, Ebony TV as medium for rendering her support. She stressed that she would do all things possible to majorly focus on the "glossy side of the story, to the more positive side of the play." 

Representing the voice of the youths was Chris Ihidero of TopFM, who is himself an actor, movie producer, broadcaster and art activist. He said, “The opening music is fantastic! It keeps ringing in my head, amazing music… What you guys have done transcends musical play; I am sure it will sell well to local and international audiences”, he concluded. 

The popular TV personality and business woman, Mo Abudu, expressed strong support for the SARO… project; and promised to use her company, Ebony TV as medium for rendering her support. She stressed that she would do all things possible to majorly focus on the "glossy side of the story, to the more positive side of the play." 

Representing the voice of the youths was Chris Ihidero of TopFM, who is himself an actor, movie producer, broadcaster and art activist. He said, “The opening music is fantastic! It keeps ringing in my head, amazing music… What you guys have done transcends musical play; I am sure it will sell well to local and international audiences”, he concluded. 

Representing the voice of the youths was Chris Ihidero of TopFM, who is himself an actor, movie producer, broadcaster and art activist. He said, “The opening music is fantastic! It keeps ringing in my head, amazing music… What you guys have done transcends musical play; I am sure it will sell well to local and international audiences”, he concluded. 



“I have no regret cancelling every other appointment just to make it here today even though the period of notification was short. What I have seen is wonderful... The timing and sequence touched me greatly. I enjoyed it and look forward to it... We are doing quite a bit to promote the arts in Lagos State; and we shall see what to do to support this venture,” remarked Holloway.


The cast member of the popular British TV comedy, Some Mothers Do Have Them , continued, “I saw some social themes, which should spur the audience to go home thinking about what is happening to our society; what is happening to our law enforcement agents. We could laugh about addiction and the lifestyle our youths are leading; we should find a way of correcting these, and theatre is a way to do that. We should learn to take something home when we are shown the mirror of our lives -- which is connecting the art to the society; not just art for art’s sake. We shouldn’t leave it for the government, each and every one of us has a vital role to play to bring about change in the society," said the elegant artiste in her well-polished diction.

The Directors of the SARO: Kenneth Uphopho (Drama); Ayo Ajayi (Music); Makinde Adeniran (Executive Director) and Gbenga Yussuf (Dance)

In a solidarity message, the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, who was also expected as a special guest at the Preview had  written: ‘first let me congratulate you on this venturous 'branching out', sending you very warm wishes for its success... it does look most likely that I shall catch one of the October performances -- keeping my fingers crossed, and looking forward to it”.

Also, Octogenarian Mrs Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, a veteran actress, art aficionado and first female permanent secretary at the federal level, had written to the producer, “I am very much encouraged and delighted by this project as its success will open the doors for our myriads of talents and you will set high standards for Nigerian productions, which will earn the respect and admiration of the world…”



In her closing remarks, Mrs. Austen-Peters affirmed that all Saro stands for is to serve as inspiration to the youths to go out there and survive; thriving on their talents or doing legitimate businesses.”

"SARO… is the story of hope and determination to survive in Lagos. You will get to see the positive sides of Lagos as the play progresses. This is but a little preview. The production team of this play has been out-of-this-world, wonderful in their individual contributions: Ayo Ajayi, Music Director; Kenneth Uphopho handling the drama; Gbenga Yusuf doing the dance; and of course, the Executive Director Makinde Adeniran, have all been wonderful; they are young but well experienced at home and abroad; and that is the hit for us. It has been a pleasure working with them”. 

She concluded by paying homage to those who have already extended hands of support to the project, including Zmirage; MNet Africa; EbonyTv, the various media organisations and Kemabom, which provided the generous lunch that rounded off the event. 

Austen-Peters, however, called on Corporate Nigeria to come on board the sponsorship train, saying that “your support is not only for this project, but your giving back to our beloved country Nigeria, as well as helping hundreds of our youths to realise their dream of becoming assets to our nation”. 



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