2baba to star in ‘African Queen’ stage play

Perhaps the most popular love song in contemporary Nigerian pop, 'African Queen' was the first video played on MTV Base and has since become a fan favourite. It launched the career of the singer and has inspired numerous remixes and at least one Nollywood film title. A storied song, it was used in the 2006 US comedy film 'Phat Girlz'. The song later topped a list of the ‘Best Naija Tracks Ever’ as compiled by MTV Base. Nine years after its release it was listed as one of Africa's top songs from the BBC.

Agbeyegbe, a playwright and lawyer, has written the play based loosely on the song. It will feature a 30-man cast. According to Mud House, 'African Queen' was selected because "of its popularity even outside Africa. We decided it would be intriguing to bring both legends of theatre and music together. The play will not interpret the title literally. It is more about creating a world of ideas. It is about the continent Africa, about which there are so many dimensions ranging from beauty, pain, joy, and so on."

'African Queen' will be staged on Monday 28 March at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos. The performance is the maiden edition of an event the organisers believe will thrive. “Music Meets Theatre is a bi-monthly event aimed at promoting theatre and music through adaptations of songs written and sang by famous artists,” says Mud House. "These songs speak to the society and have meaning to the people."

For more information, send mail to [email protected]. Online tickets via afritickets and naijatickets.