Etisalat Sponsors Saro, The Musical In Lagos - The Premium Times, Nigeria.

Lagos, Nigeria; October 30, 2013: As part of its commitment to promote the expansion of the nation’s cultural heritage, fastest growing and most innovative telecommunications company in Nigeria, Etisalat, has called for revitalization of talents among Nigerian youth in arts and culture at the just concluded, Saro, The Musical. The Three day production sponsored by Etisalat is Nigeria’s first major drama, music and dance production.

REVIEW: Watching ‘Saro The Musical’ could leave a sour taste in your mouth --- theNET

By Dipo Olutomi

Watching Saro you could leave with a sour taste in your mouth – not as a result of disappointment, but from a feeling that Nigeria can and should have much more of this kind of production. The two-hour-long musical is the first of its kind in Nigeria – the same country that boasts some of the biggest names in African entertainment.

The word Saro refers to freed slaves from Sierra Leone who settled in Nigeria in the early 1800s. In the same vein, the musical, which is set in modern times, celebrates migrants to Lagos from other parts of Nigeria, with a focus on four talented young men (played by Patrick Diabuah, Olumide Dada, Athony Offiong Edet and Paolo Sisiano). The quartet face a series of challenges as they chase better fortunes in this ‘city of dreams’.

Saro: Nigeria's own Broadway-type musicals born in Lagos --- THE AFRICA REPORT

Nigeria's first Broadway style musical production has opened in the country's economic capital, Lagos.

Saro, the musical opened in Lagos and is set for the road. The production of Saro has been tipped to lead a renaissance in Nigerian theatre, and put cities like Lagos on the same pedestal as Broadway in New York and London's West End.

“we can do it better here, thereby creating jobs for our youths”

Theatre attendance in Lagos has been threatened by "Nollywood" - the country's inexhaustible film industry.

Despite stiff challenges from Nollywood screen productions, however, Saro has attracted Nigerians from all works of life.

SARO THE MUSICAL : MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW

The event took place at the Grand ball room Oriental hotel, Lagos.
 check out more photos from Saro The Musical below.

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 3 - GUEST INTERVIEWS

SHOLA:
It was a very well produced performance. very well entertaining.

NERESH:
Quite good. I'm quite impressed with the theatre industry right now.

TEKE:
It was nice, good history of Lagos and it also showed us the evolution of Nigerian music as well. It was very good and well produced. I would love it to come to England.

FRANCIS ONWOCHEI:
This is an absolutely brilliant performance, the best I have seen in Nigeria. the closest memory I have of this is seeing lion king in England. For me, I am really, really impressed. I am so entertained and I feel very glad that I'm able to make it today, to see SARO. It's beautiful and I wish them the best. I trust and hope that many more quality productions like this, will come out of Nigeria.

Nigerian musical Saro highlights migrants to Lagos -- BBC Africa

Broadway in New York and London's West End are known for musicals, but now can the city of Lagos join them?

Nigeria's first major musical has opened with a production called Saro.

It is the story of people seeking a better life in Lagos, which they see as a place of opportunity.

Focus on Africa's Tomi Oladipo attended the premiere, which has been tipped to lead a resurgence in Nigerian theatre.

Click the link to watch video of the Creator and Executive Producer of SARO Bolanle Austen-Peters -- HERE 

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 3 - MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW

See below for more photos from day 3...

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 3 - WOLE SOYINKA, TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT, TUNDE KELANI AND MORE ATTEND THE SHOW

Wole Soyinka and Taiwo Ajai Lycett

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 2 - GUEST INTERVIEWS

Mr. & Mrs Akinribade:

It was quite innovative and exciting. We liked it, we loved it. It was very, very good.

Mr. Siki Aliyu:

This is one of the best Nigerian shows I have ever watched. It was very well organized, very nice and very enjoyable. It was a very nice one; I would watch it over and over and over again.

Ade Abudu:

The show is very good but it would be good to take it outside Lagos, so it can tour the country. It is a revelation that people should enjoy. It is a combination of music, dance and drama that took us down the slave trade era then SARO the future.

THE GRAND PREMIERE OF SARO THE MUSICAL

By Amauche Anierobi

October 25, 2013, as the curtain rose to announce the first ever staging of the much-promoted and expected grand Broadway-style showpiece, SARO The Musical, history was made in the anal of Nigeria theatre. It was the beginning (or rebirth -- such scale of production hasn’t happened in a long while) of grand and ambitious theatrical dreams for the Nigerian stage, especially in the musical genre.

The setting of the venue, the huge multi-dimensional stage set, the colourful, expressive costumes, the elaborate light and sound input, plus the actors, dancers, musicians, stunts-men were showed that the scale and quality of vision of the producers of the show, led by Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters -- MD of Terra Kulture Art Centre, Lagos – was indeed treasurable.

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 3 - PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW

Check out pictures from day three of Saro The Musical below...

SARO THE MUSICAL: FEEDBACK – Students of Pine Field College, Temple, Waterman, Grange and more speak about SARO

Students of Pine Sacred Hearts High School, Edo State

Interview by Amauche Anierobi 

Students from Pine Field School, Temple School, Waterman College, Grange School, Sacred Heart High school, Edo State are few of the students that attended the students’ shows {11am} on the first two days {25th & 26th Oct.,) of Saro The Musical.

Here the students speak share their opinion about the musical and how it should be a regular event to help promote cultural knowledge.

Read full interview below....

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 2 - PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW

See more photos from day two of Saro The Musical below...

SARO THE MUSICAL : DAY 2 - RED CARPET PHOTOS

Creator and Executive Producer - Saro The Musical, Bolanle Austen-Peters and CEO of Afritickets, Olaotan Towry-Coker

The 2nd day of Saro The Musical was even greater than the 1st, guests trooped into the Oriental Hotel to watch the best musical play in Nigeria. From the 11am to the 1pm, 4pm and 7pm show, guests were thrilled to spectacular broadway-style theatre production.

See photos of guests on the red carpet below...

Tinubu takes a break from politics to attend Broadway-styled ‘SARO The Musical’ (PHOTOS) --- YNAIJA

by Isi Esene

Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a little break from politics to attend Saro The Musical, a Broadway style stage play produced by Bolanle Auten-Peters, the founder of Terra-Kulture, Victoria Island.

Tinubu who returned to the country weeks ago after a successful surgery on a nagging knee in the United States was at the Oriental Hotel venue of the event with a retinue of aides which included his close political associates including Dr. Leke Pitan.

The play was attended by several celebrities including Joke Silva, Teju Babyface and others.

See more photos below:

EXCLUSIVE: Dakore Egbuson, Teju Babyface, Joke Silva join others for colourful ‘SARO The Musical’ in Lagos (PHOTOS) -- YNAIJA

Dakore Egbuson-Akande

by Isi Esene

Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a little break from politics to attend Saro The Musical, a Broadway style stage play produced by Bolanle Auten-Peters, the founder of Terra-Kulture, Victoria Island.

Tinubu who returned to the country weeks ago after a successful surgery on a nagging knee in the United States was at the Oriental Hotel venue of the event with a retinue of aides which included his close political associates including Dr. Leke Pitan.

The play was attended by several celebrities including Joke Silva, Teju Babyface and others.

See more photos below:

IN THE MEDIA: Great expectation as Saro The Musical comes alive tonight -- The Guardian Newspaper

Today Friday 25th Oct 2013, Guardian Newspaper spotlights the cast and crew of Saro The Musical

Get a copy to read full story....

Finally, Saro the Musical on stage - PUNCH

It is d-day for Saro the Musical as the production, described as Nigeria’s first broadway show, will open in Lagos. From today (Friday) to Sunday, lovers of total theatre, fashioned after FELA! Broadway Show but conceived to surpass the type of excitement generated by the likes of UMOJA, Saro the Musical is produced by Terra Kulture, Lagos Managing Director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, who assembled some 100 youthful actors to tell the story of Lagos in drama, music and dance.

SARO IS LIVE!! Don't Miss Today's Shows - 11AM, 4PM & 7PM

Saro The Musical live performance on stage at the Oriental Hotel

The much anticipated broadway-style theatre production - Saro The Musical has is live at the Oriental Hotel daily from today, 25th Oct. - 27th Oct 2013.

The first show started today at exactly 11am, with a well-crafted stage and the excited cast and crew, guests (students especially) enjoyed a splendid time watching the presentation of the musical play.

WATCH: Saro The Musical Live Hangout Now!

Join in now!

Watch the cast and crew of Saro The Musical talk about their experience, expectations and more on the Hangout.

Click link to watch - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=170dIhjVxHU&feature=youtu.be

The Promise of SARO, by members of cast and crew

WILLIAM BENSON

ADE LAOYE

With only a few days to the October 25-27 premiere of the grand Broadway-style musical theatre, SARO The Musical at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki, we asked some of the young, vibrant performers and directors involved in the epoch-making  showpiece created and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters for BAP Productions and Terra Kulture Art Centre, Lagos.
Below is an excerpt of what they promise the expected audiences:

Saro opens Friday - Nigerian Tribune

AFTER some three months of intensive rehearsals by its 100-person cast, all is now set for the premiere of ‘Saro the Musical’ on Friday, October 25 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

What directors, actors of Saro the Musical promise audience - The Guardian Nigeria

Diana Yekini

 Makinde Adeniran

Saro the Musical is Nigeria’s first Broadway-style musical theatre, a production of Terra Kulture, Lagos. It will premiere from October 25 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos to enthusiastic audiences in its grand scale as never seen before in indigenous Nigerian theatre production. In this interview with the Executive Director, Makinde Adeniran and one of the cast members, Diana Yekini, Nigerians’ love for the theatre is about to be revolutionised in a new way. Excerpts:

One on One with Itiku Titilayo Regina Dancer and Singer in Saro The Musical

In Saro The Musical, Itiku Titilayo Regina plays the dancer,  singer and waka pass. In this interview, she talks about what inspired her to be a part of the project.

Read more below...

MEET THE CAST: Phebean Oluwadare as Lead Saxophonist in SARO The Musical

Talented Phebean Oluwadare -  composer, lyricist and singer who's also the lead saxophonist  In SARO The Musical shares how the project has influenced her personally and why it's a must see presentation.

Read full interview below...

MEET THE CAST: Blessing Idireri, Percussionist, Actor and Dancer in Saro The Musical

Here's a one-on-one interview with Blessing Idireri, percussionist, actor and dancer in Saro The Musical. He believes Saro is more than a project to him, it's a story that will inspire everyone that sees it.

Read full interview below..

Dakore in the house for Saro musical show - PunchNg

More theatre lovers watch rehearsals of Nigeria’s first Broadway musical play, Saro, AKEEM LASISI reports.

Nigeria’s first Broadway play, Saro the Musical, has inched close to the stage as the cast and crew are now busy putting final touches to it. The work, written and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, will be premiered at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Lagos from October 25 to 27. It will be taken to a few cities in the country before proceeding on an international tour.

#SaroTheMusical: 100Man Cast, 9 Shows, 1 Venue, 3 Days, 1 Big City (A Pictorial Preview) -- 360NOBS

October 25th sees the opening of SARO The Musical, touted as the largest Broadway style production to come out of Nigeria.

On October 8th, we were treated to a preview of sorts of the stage musical that the producers promised us is going to blow us away. Not usual practice, the preview was actually a rehearsal but the team was keen to share their ambitions and give us an insight into the scale and vision of the production. The preview was held at Terra Kulture where they have been preparing but the production will be staged at the New Oriental Hotel Grand Ballroom which currently boasts the best stage in Nigeria.

Play: Saro of music, dance and drama - National Mirror

By Terh Agbedeh

Most masterpieces are also simple enough for everyone to relate to. The Preview of Saro: The Musical conceived and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters penultimate Tuesday makes this assertion even more telling. In fact, in most cases, it is the elevation of that simplicity to a higher level of art that gives such pieces a classic tinge

Stage has an interactive feel all its own. Actors on stage often engage the audience in an exchange that makes every performance unique no matter how many times the actors mount the stage. It is the reason drama enthusiasts are drawn to stage. But when a stage drama also adopts music as well as dance, the resulting energy, particularly if connoisseurs are involved, is out of this world.

A LOOK AT SARO THE MUSICAL - Daily Newswatch

Barely two weeks to the premiere of the musical, ‘Saro,’ the producers of this Broadway- style musical comedy, against all norms and practices, have thrown open the gate of the rehearsal hall to the public for yet another preview. If the first attempt at doing this was daring, the second time, held at the theater of Terra Kulture, in Lagos was adventurous. Journalists (print and electronics), with the full compliments of apparatus, celebrities, art personalities and bloggers were present.

A Viewer's Perspective: Ms Abby Ogunsanya shares her expectations for Saro The Musical

Earlier today, a select audience of bloggers, showbiz and media personalities gathered at Terra Kulture for another preview of the Broadway-style theatre production - Saro The Musical.

It was an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment as guests were priviledged to enjoy a preview of what will be performed during the 3-day event.

One of the guests in attendance, Ms Abby Ogunsanya spoke with us about her expectations for the project.

Read full interview after the cut.

SARO The Musical: 5 reasons we can’t wait for this (exciting) theatre production - Ynaija

On the 25th, 26th and 27th of this month, the Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island will play home to a fantastic and novel initiative in Nigerian theatre. SARO The Musical, is, as the name suggests, a musical theatre production and we are as excited as any for it to take place. Here are 7 reasons why:

Witness the Biggest Broadway-style Theatre Production this October!

This October 25^th, 26^th and 27^th the Oriental Hotel Lagos will play host to the Broadway-style theatrical production, Saro The Musical.

Check Out New Pictures From Saro The Musical Rehearsal

As we countdown to the biggest musical show to storm the city of Lagos!!! SARO The Musical.
Overall The Drama and Musical Cast had a very Productive Rehearsal wearing some of Their Costumes.

Check out some of the pictures below:

MEET THE CAST: Anita Obidi, Double Cast for ‘Rume’ In SARO The Musical

In Saro,Anita Obidi Plays The role Of  ‘Rume’.Anita talks about how Saro The Musical influenced her personally and her excitement for SARO.

Read full interview below…

(video) The Rehearsal Of The Calypso Song For Saro The Musical

Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid 20th century. It lay it roots in the West African Kaiso and the arrival of French planters and their slaves..

Watch The Rehearsal Of The Calypso Song For Saro The Musical below:

One On One With Bikiya Graham Douglas, Playing The Role Of Producer In Saro The Musical

Meet Bikiya Graham Douglas, Playing The Role Of Music Producer. Bikiya Graham Douglas talks about her excitement for SARO The Musical.

Read full interview below…

(Video) SARO The Musical Preview On The Close Flow Show on NTA Part 2

Part two of Saro The Musical Preview On The Close Show On NTA...
Watch The video Below:

More Pictures From SARO The Musical Rehearsal

As we countdown to the biggest musical show to hit the city of Lagos - SARO The Musical. The drama and musical cast had a very productive rehearsal...See below for photos from the rehearsal.