Queen Moremi The Musical returns to stage in Lagos
Moremi Legend
After what would be considered a huge success in Lagos last December (21 shows and all the tickets were sold out), paving the way for its staging abroad — the United States and Europe, Queen Moremi The Musical is back on stage in Nigeria, at its first staged venue, the Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the Global Ambassador of Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi, some awe-inspiring musical performances, laced with thought-provoking storytelling, awaits Nigerians this season as this Easter’s edition of the stage play as it makes a comeback in Lagos.
Slated to run from April 18 to May 5, 2019, prominent personalities, including His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among other distinguished audience of traditional and leaders in business, politics, theatre and drama have been confirmed for the command performance on Easter Monday, April 22.
This is in affirmation of his passion to support women in leadership, as symbolized by the exploits of Queen Moremi over 1,700 years ago.
Executive Producers of the event — House of Oduduwa Foundation, Rejevenee and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions — in a statement, said arrangements have been finalized to ensure a breathtaking event.
Besides reinforcing the fact that performance is central to human experience, underlining the event is the reenactment of the life and times of Queen Moremi, which illustrates the pivotal role of women in societal development and to enable the younger generation, especially women, to recognise and aspire for leadership roles in society, which stood out the Queen in the history and liberation of Ile Ife town.
Queen Moremi Ajasoro, it will be recalled, was a courageous, selfless beautiful woman from Ile-Ife. Following incessant raids by a neighboring tribe and with Ife under siege, she took the heroic step of offering herself to be captured by the raiders. The goal was to be taken prisoner and be taken to the land of the marauders for intelligence gathering.
The attempt worked as her beauty and intellect enchanted the king of the Ugbo tribe, who married her and she became Queen. She learned the secrets of the raiders, which the Ife subsequently exploited to achieve victory.
Moremi the Musical is a story of love, faith, honour and the ultimate sacrifice. Screen stars are set to take over the stage with their electrifying performance, which is known to have fully enthralled the whole of Nigeria the previous season.
The Moremi of Yoruba Land, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun notes, “the purpose and aim of this project is to celebrate women and to proudly showcase our history and project our vibrant rich culture to the entire world; to keep our identity, values and traditions alive especially amongst the youth, our upcoming next generation.”
“I know fully well that I am not worthy to hold a candle to the magnanimity of the Queen Moremi heroine being celebrated. I therefore take solace in the belief that promoting the legacies of Queen Moremi provides to the unanimously acknowledge and celebrate all women that believe in and represent core values of womanhood, women that exemplify and promote integrity, dignity, courage, hard work, sacrifice, contentment, justice, humanity and love,” she added.
Ademiluyi, also said, “creating a musical out of the story of Móremí came about in December 2017,” adding, “we are dedicated to telling our story and the story of Queen Moremi is about ultimate girl power, a woman who dedicated her life to ensure that her home town of Ile Ife was safe from invaders.”
“She was an epitome of great female leadership as great leaders would always put the love of their people before themselves. That is why we have requested the phenomenal Bolanle Austen-Peters to give us an outstanding show this Easter,” Ademiluyi stated.
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