•Cast & CrewRevealed!
On Sunday 23rd, December, 2018, the Terrakulture Arena, located on Tiamiyu Savage Street in Victoria Island, Lagos was filled to the brim, as His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and very many distinguished Nigerians gathered to watch the Command Performance of Queen Moremi: The Musical, produced and directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters.
In attendance was Ogun 1st Lady, Chief Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande, the Alake of Egbaland, the Olu of Ilaro and many dignitaries. The Ooni who came with his beautiful Oloori had the support of over 50 Obas from Osun State. Olugbon, Oba Alao and his beautiful Oloori attended also.
Whats the Moremi story all about? Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his Foreward to a new book titled Moremi: The authentic history of Moremi Ajasaro, mother of Liberty of the Yoruba nation wrote: The riveting story of Moremi is synonymous with the liberation of Ile-Ife and it is the legend by which the women folk are celebrated, understood and venerated. It is also a fable that bolster acts of exemplary selflessness, altruism, patriotism and chivalry, which are virtues that cut across sex, race or creed”.
“When the descendants of Oduduwa took over Ile-Ife, it was noted that they drove away the original owners of the land who they met on arrival. Having been driven away from their cradle, these people immediately went into guerilla tactics and warfare, attacking Ife at random. Most often they would cart away their goods, take their women and young men as captives. There was serious crisis of confidence in Ife hierarchical arrangement. The Ooni was incapacitated; his chiefs and generals suddenly lost their grip and zeal to fight and defend their people. There was gloom everywhere”.
“In the midst of all these unwholesome development was Moremi, a woman of unusual boldness, uncommon courage, strength as well as uncommon sagacity, feminine allure and captivating beauty. Married, divorced and remarried. Regardless of these marital predilections, though emotive, daunted her resolve to thrust forward herself and her only child in the internecine expeditions that liberated the Ile-Ife people who were held captives by their hostile Igbo (bush) neigbours.
The woman who later became queen, put her own life on the line and uncovered the mystery of enemies who clad rafia palms to sow sorrow, tears and blood in Ife. To end this routine raid and years of oppression, she volunteered to be enslaved so that she could go on espionage to demystify the tricks behind the losses suffered by the slave raiders rampaging forces that defied the ingenuity of Ife warriors”.
“Suffering endless nightmares and tortures, fortuitous circumstance turned her to the favourite wife of the King of Igbo and she later succeeded in escaping from the palace after gathering enough intelligence which turned the tide against the enemies of Ife. It wasn’t without a price. She had to offer as sacrificial lamb her only son, Oluorogbo, and her marriage to Obarese, to win freedom for her people. From that day onwards, the Edi festival was instituted as a remembrance of the heroic deeds of Moremi who saved her people from the raiding activities of Igbo warriors.”
“This is significant because it depicts a society made up of both male and female, submitting to an exemplary woman, endowed with powerful intuitions and courage, who lived among, and was one of them. The legend of Moremi also demonstrates the early involvement of women in politics in Yoruba society, and it also highlights that heroic deeds were also carried out by women, and not just the men alone at a point in the history of Ile-Ife. At the University of Lagos, a popular hall has been named after Moremi; same as at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife”.
“In her honour, there are cenotaphs at both Ile-Ife and her mother’s town in Ofa, Kwara State, Nigeria. The legend of Moremi is also widespread among the Yoruba diaspora, some of which can be found with rich traditions in the Caribbean, Brazil and Cuba”.
“Today, successive Oonis pay obeisance to Moremi, mark her ascendancy into the pantheon of Yoruba gods and goddesses and she is recognized almost 900 years after she had gone for her fervour, selflessness and graceful despositions.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Executive Producer Director-Rejuvenee, House of Oduduwa and Bolanle Austen- Peters, Director-Bolanle Austen- Peters, Producer-Joseph Umoibom,Producer-Princess RonkeAdemiluyi, Writers-Emmanuel Kalu Uduma and Paul Ugbede, Adapted from Olaposi Ogunremi’s MoremiAjasoro-Olaposi Ogunremi, Story Consulting-Chris Ihidero for Pinpoint Media, Script Edits-Kesiena Obue, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Ibukun Fasunhan, Costume Designer-BolanleAusten- Peters, Juliana Dede, Itunu Bamidele,Choreographer-Justin Ezirim, Choreographer-Paolo Sisiano, Music Coordinator-Kehinde Oretimehin, Lighting Designer-Yemi Light Wahib, Sound Designer-EmmanuelOtujinrin, Multimedia/ set design- Ice Nweke, Ice Nweke, Communications Consultant-Obvious Media / Ayo Rotimi, Consultant Strategist-Alh Teju Kareem.
CAST
Moremi-Kehinde Bankole/Tosin Adeyemi, Oluorogbo-Moshood Fattah, Ooni Obawinrin-Bimbo Manuel , Olu-Igbo-Femi Branch / Segun Dada, Ooni Obawinrin-Rotimi Adelegan / Kunle Afolayan, Obarese-Ayo Ayoola / Hector Amiwero, Esinmirin-Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde/Kemi Lala Akindoju, Obalufe-Deyemi Okanlawon, Chiefs-Ralph Okoro, Femi Branch, Gbenga Titiloye, BabaAwo-Ifakolade Ajanaku, Female Chief-Esther Oluwayemi Queen, Ear of the King-ChidiOkeke, Mouth of the King-Gbolabo Adebakin, Obajimi-ChidiOkeke, Girl-Oluwabamike Olawunmi, Hunters-Hector Amiwero, Michael Dosunmu, Prince IK Peterside, Guards-Olawale Olaoluwa, Oscar Adiele, King’s Chanter-Olawale Olaoluwa, Female Chanter-Oluwafunmi Abe, Warriort-Ajegunle Ossai Franklin, Warrior 2-Micheal John, Servant-Rasheed Aluko, Esimirin Accolytes-Oshuwa Tunde-Imoyo, Linda Anumba, Titi Itiku, Queen Celestine, Head of Ugbo Warriors-Segun Dada, Ugbo Warriors-Justin Ezirim, Paolo Sisiano, Tobi Odunsi, Prince Ik Peterside, Michael Dosunmu, Simi Siwoku, Kherry Adekpe, Julius Obende, ErinoluwaAkinmoladun, Gideon Akonjom, Salako Eniola, Hermes Iyele, Bern Ukurkpashi, Ife Warriours- Hector Amiwero, Oscar Adiele, Gbolabo Adebakin, Queen Celestine, Sharon Onyegbula, Olawale Olaoluwa, Michael J ohn,Ossai Franklin, Josephine Ewuru, AdeniyiAfolayan, Villagers-Josephine Ewuru, Linda Anumba, Titi Itiku, Sharon Onyegbula, Queen Celestine, Idowu Lawal, Omolola Kazeem, Oshuwa Tunde- Imoyo, Emmanuel Precious, Rasheed Aluko, Oscar Adiele, Theodora Onoapoi.
MUSICIANS
Keyboard-OdutolaAkinwunmi, Drums-Matthew Arewa, Percussion I-Blessing Idireri, Percussion II-EmekaAnokwuru, Percussion Ill/Bata Drum-Olumide Ogunfowode, Percussion IV/Talking Drum-Adedeji Olalekan, Talking Drum-NurudeenAyanbisi, Oladepo Dada Dayo, Bass Guitar-Damilola Olubunmi, Gongs/Maracas-Damilare Mosaku, Lead Singer-Rasheed Aluko, Backup Singers-Theodora Onoapoi, Emmanuel Precious, Oscar Adiele.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Accountant-Sanya Temitope, Stage Manager-Ibukun Fasunhan, Ticketing/FOH-Fatai Omotunde, Social medial Publicity-LanreAjayi, Daniel Olaoluwa, PR/ Publicity-Hill & Knowlton, Front of House Manager/Event coordinator-Sola Oyebade, Mahogany.
CREW
MultimediaAsst-Yemi, Sound Technician (Rehearsals)-Victor Nwabuzor, Seye Nwokoye, Wardrobe Managers-Juliana Dede, Itunu Bamidele, Wardrobe Assistants- ToniaAnyebe, Fidelia Mbamba, Itunu, Juliana Ehis, Ijeoma Dede, Taiwo Remi, Faith Williams, Accessories Manager-Bunmi George, Hair Stylist-Bernard Okon, Hair Assistant-Adeola Omomo, Makeup-Efe Akugbe, Adedayo Nathaniel, Eragbae Alao, Props Manager-Babatunde Wahab, Stage Hands-Babatunde Wahab, Adetayo Adedigba, Emmanuel Udoh, Bola Mukhtar Roko.
