The internationally acclaimed stage production Fela and the Kalakuta Queens is returning to Lagos this Christmas.
Created and co-written by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the musical has become Nigeria’s highest-grossing and most-watched theatre production, with performances held in major cities worldwide.
Bolanle Austen-Peters announced the return of Fela and the Kalakuta Queens on her official Instagram handle, sharing that there will be a special addition to the cast, Fela himself, played by the talented Laitan Adeniji, who is flying in from Los Angeles.
Adeniji is a skilled actor and musician known for his strong stage presence and deep connection to music. He studied at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and has performed internationally, earning praise for his powerful and realistic portrayal of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. His presence is expected to bring new energy to the production.
The musical tells the lesser-known story of the Kalakuta Queens — the bold and fearless women who supported Fela as dancers, band members, wives, and political allies.
With powerful storytelling, energetic dancing, and a lively Afrobeat soundtrack, the show gives a moving and colourful look into the lives of these important women and their role in Nigeria’s cultural and political history.
At the centre of this successful production is Bolanle Austen-Peters, often called the Queen of Nigerian Theatre. She began her career as a lawyer but later became a leading cultural figure.
She founded Terra Kulture, Lagos’s top arts and cultural centre. She created BAP Productions, the company behind shows like Moremi the Musical, Dear Kaffi, Death and the King’s Horseman, The Bling Lagosians, and other projects.
Her work has toured internationally and helped bring Nigerian theatre to the global stage.