By 
Wakaa! the musical London edition was a highly successful celebration and exhibition of Nigerian culture. A two-hour stage musical extravaganza of drama, comedy, live music and dance about the trials, successes and experiences of graduates with varied backgrounds. A wager between them after graduation leads to twists and turns when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them.
The successful outing had various dignitaries in attendance include Mr. Lai Mohammed the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture; Mr. Segun Awolowo, the CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council; Mrs. Chinelo Amazu-Anohu, the Director General of the Nigerian Pension Commission, Mr. Waheed Olagunju the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Deji Alli the Managing Director MIXTA AFRICA, Baroness Lindsay Northover, member of the House of Lords and Trade Envoy to Angola, and Ms Kate Osamor (MP) – Chair, Nigeria All Parliamentary Party Group.
Will Gompertz the BBC Art Editor described Wakaa the musical as “soulful, colorful and dynamic” and having “a spirit and sensibility that is fresh and true.”
WAKAA! the Musical was able to break new grounds and transcend the demographic barriers of London’s theatre landscape, prompting Will Gompertz to further say “ the show is a little bit different and so is tonight’s audience, the big subsidized theatres here in the UK say they want to attract a more diverse crowd but struggle to do so, perhaps they should go along and see how it is done”.
See link: BBC News at Ten, 21/07/2016: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07ksbfy
This was further affirmed by Conor Gaffey, Editor of europe’s news week who concluded that “the show has heart, energy and a great sense of humor, and received a standing ovation on the final night when Newsweek was in attendance”
see link below. http://europe.newsweek.com/nigerian-musical-targets-broadway-after-successful-london-stint-483956
Wakaa the musical was completely sold out and had standing ovations at all the shows.
Wakaa! the musical, the hugely successful homegrown musical became the first of its kind to debut at the Shaw Theatre London.There is high demand for productions of African and indeed Nigerian origin in London. There were several calls for the show to be extended or for it to be brought back soon.
WAKAA! The Musical London was made possible by the support of Mixta Afrcia MTN, PENCOM, Bank Of Industry, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the British Council, the Nigerian Ministry of Culture and Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Africa Magic, Ebony life TV, TV Continental, Africa Movie Channel, Beats FM, Wakanow, IBST, Elufowoju jr Ensemble, DJA MEDIA, Lanre Dasilva Ajayi, Arik Air, British Airways amongst other partners.
