The formal introduction of the project by the Nigeria producer of the globally acclaimed theatrical production, SOJI AKINKUGBE (CEO, Adebayo Akinkugbe Productions, AAP), in the course of launch of the AJIBAYO AKINKUGBE FOUNDATION, a not-for-profit organisation focused on Education,Inspiration, Inclusion and Engagement). The AAP is an arm of the foundation.
Based on the 1992 film of the same name, Sister Act tells the story of aspiring disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, who having witnessed her gangster (and married) boyfriend commit a murder, ends up hiding in a convent whose parish has fallen on hard times. Though the sequin-free lifestyle doesn’t agree with her, Deloris finds her calling working with the choir, and breathes new life into the dusty convent while discovering a sisterhood she’s never had before.
Akinkugbe who is the managing director of Colours in Africa, was influenced by the robust theatre performance tradition of the 70s/80s in the campuses of University of Lagos and Ife where he was raised. He has long nursed a vision to produce international musical hits with Nigerian casts. Also, he desires to use the productions to create a platform to train and transform raw local talents and skills into world class performers, which is why he has been a regular patron to many theatrical productions at home and abroad, especially in southern parts of Africa.
Akinkugbe’s organisation, Colours in Africa Productions, is spearheading the project with support from 2Wice As Nice, a firm headed by the actress and businesswoman, Elvina-Ibru.
SISTER ACT, starring the singing sensation, OMAWUMI in the lead, will feature a wholly Nigeria cast, with directorial crew from the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, and will be staged December 13-24- 2016 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
