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Tag: BOLANLE AUSTEN PETERS

  • Applause as Bolanle Austen-Peters’ ‘Dear Kaffy’ tours South Africa

    Applause as Bolanle Austen-Peters’ ‘Dear Kaffy’ tours South Africa

    There is palpable excitement and applause from thespians and theatre goers as ‘Dear Kaffi’, the popular play directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters continues its tour of South Africa.

    With its rich Nigerian cast, the play had opened to critical acclaim in Pretoria on February 27th.

    The tour is at the invitation of the South African State Theatre, whose partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions is promoting a two-week tour of the play across several theatres in South Africa.

    “We are using this collaboration to bridge cultural gaps,” says Mrs Austen-Peters, who is leading the cast and crew of the outstanding play as director cum producer.

    According to the multi-talented lawyer turned theatre producer and film director, “the reception was electrifying”, adding that the tour will be “two weeks of extreme excellence on stage.”

    The opening night was sold out and had dignitaries that included the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency, Temitope Ajayi; the Chief Executive Officer of the South African State Theatre, Sibongiseni Mkhize and the Artistic Director of the South African State Theatre, Aubrey Sekhat.

    This is the second time that BAP Productions will tour South Africa. In 2022, Saro The Musical also toured select South African theatres.
    About a dozen performances of Dear Kaffi are slated to thrill the audience, with at least one show being staged per day since Saturday March 1. The tour is expected to reach a crescendo from Thursday March 6th all through the weekend, with the grand finale slated for Sunday March 9.

    Dear Kaffy – Kike’s Story is a captivating tale of a 35-year-old single woman, Kikelomo Olota, who is navigating life, love, and societal expectations in Lagos.

    From her teenage years, Kike’s brilliance in academics had earned her admiration, but her lack of romantic relationships set her apart.
    Determined to fit in, she traded her smartness for popularity, only to find herself entangled in a series of tumultuous relationships.

    From Femi, a charming but deceitful lover, to Emeka, a seemingly perfect man who turned out to be married, Kike’s journey is filled with heartbreak and lessons that shape her perspective on love and self-worth.

    Amid growing pressure from her family, especially her father, Kike is introduced to Debo, a suitor with whom she shares an unexpected connection. However, her past returns in the form of Tamuno, an ex-boyfriend whose presence threatens her budding relationship with Debo.

    As Kike struggles to reconcile her desires with societal expectations, she is forced to confront her insecurities, redefine her values, and decide what truly matters.

    With humour, music, and a sharp critique of cultural norms, Dear Kaffy is a vibrant exploration of love, identity, and the pursuit of authenticity in the face of overwhelming pressure.

    The Nigerian cast of the play in South Africa include

    Uzo Osimkpa, who plays the lead role of Kike;
    Yewande Osamein (Tolani),
    Abiola Lepe (Bidemi),
    Sharon Onyegbula (Shalewa) and
    Ralph Okoro (Tamuno).
    Others are: Hector Amiwero (Debo), Obiora Maduegbuna (Debo),
    Floyd Igbo (Femi),
    Bimbo manuel who plays the role of Father, and

    Bukola Ogunnote who plays the role of Mother.

    Dear Kaffi had a successful premiere in Nigeria at the maiden edition of the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) in November 2024.
    The play also returned to the Terra Kulture stage during the yuletide season last year.

    With the current South African tour, ‘Dear Kaffi’ has become Bolanle Austen-Peters’ latest play to earn international accolades, following in the footsteps of Saro The Musical, Wakaa The Musical and Fela & The Kalakuta Queens, which have been performed in London, United Kingdom; Cairo, Egypt and Johanesburg, South Africa at different times.

  • Bolanle Austen-Peters’ latest film, ‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’ thrills audiences at cinemas

    Bolanle Austen-Peters’ latest film, ‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’ thrills audiences at cinemas

    The Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions is thrilled to announce the arrival of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti the movie. It is the story of the legendary Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, mother to Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, in Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island for an ongoing one-week screening, that will last till Thursday September 14, 2023.

    This landmark film marks a new era in the production company’s illustrious journey and showcases its passion for creating captivating movies for global audiences.

    Directed by the visionary Bolanle Austen-Peters, ‘Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’ (FRK) is notable for its brilliant storytelling, unique characters, and stunning craftsmanship and is already wowing audiences at the cinema since it started screening on September 8.

    The film follows the story of Fela’s mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, from her pioneering days as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School to her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti. Together with her husband, they challenged oppression and created the Abeokuta Women’s Union, igniting a fierce battle against colonial and traditional rulers who stood in the way if fairness and justice.

    This narrative artfully contrasts FRK’s tireless activism with her delicate balancing act as a wife and mother, revealing the indomitable spirit of a woman who changed the course of history.

    This film emerges as one contribution to the important conversations people are having now around women, identity and the constant push for equality.

    The phenomenal cast features groundbreaking performances from Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Adebayo Salami, Keppy Ekpeyoung, Adunni Ade, Omowunmi Dada, Patrick Diabuah and others.

    Austen-Peters, the driving force behind the film, expressed her enthusiasm on where the film might be headed, stating, “Submitting Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti for the consideration of Nigeria Official Screening Committee (NOSC) towards 96th Academy Awards next year is a humbling and exhilarating experience. Our team poured heart and soul into this project, and this submission is a testament to their unwavering dedication.”

    BAP Productions, known for its commitment to cinematic excellence, views this submission to NOSC as a significant milestone in its history.

    Speaking about this, Yakubu Yahaya, an Associate Producer said, “It represents the values and artistic vision that have guided our company for years. The film will undoubtedly leave a mark on the global film scene, and this submission for Nigeria’s Official Selection Committee for the Academy Awards sets the stage for an exciting journey through the forthcoming global awards season.”

  • BAP Productions, Terra Kulture present “Motherland The Musical” directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters

    BAP Productions, Terra Kulture present “Motherland The Musical” directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters

    BAP Productions and Terra Kulture present “Motherland The Musical” showing at Terra Kulture Arena from December 23rd, 2022 to January 2nd, 2023.

    The musical is directed by award-winning theatre and film director, Bolanle Austen-Peters and features performances from Temi Otedola, Tosin Adeyemi, KelvinMary Ndukwe and Uzo Osimkpa among many others.

    When confronted by a group of young political rallyists who are fed up with the state of the country, an Igbo man and a Fulani woman share the story of their romance starting in 1957, on the brink of Nigeria’s independence, and how the country’s history has shaped their love. Through music, romance and necessary conversations, “Motherland the Musical” tells the story of Nigeria; the past, the present and the hopes for the future.

    The musical play will premiere a single show at 7pm on Friday December 23rd, 2022.

    It will then run two shows (afternoon and evening) on Saturday December 24th, 26th, 27th, 30th and 31st, 2022.

    In the new year, the show will also maintain its afternoon and evening shows on January 1st and 2nd 2023 with tickets purchased through www.terrakulture.com.

    For a premium experience, the VVIP experience comes with increased comfort with seats that have extra legroom, drinks and canapés, and a gift bag with show merchandise.

    The director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, described her vision for the musical as “a showcase of the story of Nigeria, highlighting the beauty of our different cultures while also acknowledging the perspective of the young people who want to be a part of the change that takes this nation to greater heights. It will be an entertaining, colourful and rich show with an engaging story, exciting musical numbers and a beautiful message.”

    Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions is a production company committed to showcasing the culture, the experiences, and the glamour of Nigerians through art.

    With almost a decade worth of experience, the company has produced nine plays that have been performed on three continents including Saro the Musical, Wakaa the Musical, Fela and The Kalakuta Queens and Death and the King’s Horseman written by Wole Soyinka.

    BAP Productions has also produced five movies that have become box office hits, number one on Netflix Nigeria, and have screened at film festivals all over the world.

    The projects have garnered numerous award nominations and wins including Best Movie West Africa at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (Collision Course) and Best Nigerian Film at the 2022 African Movie Academy Awards (Man of God).

    Terra Kulture Arts and Studios Limited is an educational and recreational organization set up in 2003 to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture.

  • Bolanle Austen-Peters wins MIT’s prestigious Foundry Fellowship

    Bolanle Austen-Peters wins MIT’s prestigious Foundry Fellowship

    Lawyer turned film and theatre director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, has been selected for a prestigious fellowship programme of the Legatum Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA.

    Mrs. Austen-Peters who is also the Founder & CEO of the educational and recreational organisation, Terra Kulture, will join 11 other fellows for the Legatum Foundry Fellowship, which is a transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs.

    She is one of the four women selected for this highly-competitive fellowship, a hybrid training that will take fellows across select African cities for study tours and coursework in Boston.

    In its announcement on Thursday, the Legatum Centre said “the 2022-2023 Foundry Fellows are here. Join us as we welcome our incoming cohorts. From Egypt to South Africa to Botswana and Nigeria, our incoming fellows are working on enterprises to improve their communities in various sectors,” adding that they will “highlight each #foundryfellow over the next week as they get ready to begin an incredible year of networking, innovation and building community here at Legatum.”

    The Foundry Fellowship is a transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs “who are at an inflection point between scaling an innovation-driven company and transitioning into a role as an entrepreneurial leader catalysing systems change and inclusive economic growth across the African continent.”

    The statement from the Legatum Centre said that during the fellowship journey, Fellows will learn new frameworks in leadership development and acolytes building with expert faculty and practitioners, be exposed to ecosystems through visits with key stakeholders, and explore new ways to accelerate innovation-driven Entrepreneurship in Africa.”

    In her response, Austen-Peters said: “I’m honoured to be selected as a fellow of the Legatum Centre for Development & Entrepreneurship at MIT. The recognition comes through over 20 years of creating pathways to global prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurship.

    “It demonstrates that you should just keep at what you do without allowing distractions. It affirms that in spite of all, hardworking and diligence are recompensed. It encourages one to want to do more.”

    Austen-Peters, 53, graduated with a BA in Law from the University of Lagos and earned a Masters from the London School of Economics.

    After working as a lawyer in the 1990s, first in her father’s chambers, Afe Babalola & Co and later at the United Nations High Commissions for Refugees in Switzerland, she founded Terra Kulture.

    According to her, since 2003, Terra Kulture has been at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s art and culture through exhibitions, indigenous restaurant and storytelling through its award-winning plays and movies.

    “Over these years, we have developed an in-depth understanding of arts, culture and languages to impact the next generation most effectively,” she added.

    In recent times, the organisation, through the Terra Academy for the Arts, received funding support from both Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Works Initiative and Netflix.

    Through Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions, she has produced stage musicals like Saro, Waka, Fela & The Kalakuta Queens and Death and the King’s Horseman, among others.

    She has also directed feature films such as The Bling Lagosians, Man Of God, Collision Course and Funmilayo: The lioness of Lisabi.

  • Austen-Peters urges stakeholders not to neglect women in creative sector

    Austen-Peters urges stakeholders not to neglect women in creative sector

    Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder, Terra Kulture Arts and Studios Limited, says that women as nation builders must be carried along in nation building.

    She said that since women have the power to create as well destroy, nation builders should not neglect them because they occupied strategic positions.

    Austen- Peters said, “She can be calm and violent as a storm, she can be a mother, the ultimate protector, compassionate, loving and all enduring, they have to be pampered’’.

    She said this in Lagos at the opening of the maiden international exhibition by #sisterArt; tagged: “Strength of a Woman’’, at Terra Kulture, on Victoria Island Lagos on Sunday night

    NAN reports that 35 female artists had begun to feature their art works at the exhibitions that would end on June 7.

    She said that it was a great venture for women artistes from different countries to have come together to celebrate the strength and the diversity of their various art works in Lagos.

    “A woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone and has constantly deal with a lot of issues emotionally, physically and spiritually; yet they handled them with ease.

    “She understands that she is a woman and she takes advantage of it to better her family and the society in general. A woman is diplomatic by nature. Her heart is pure.

    “She has a sense of purpose, she multi-tasks and she will still be sane enough to handle her responsibility as a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter and a career woman,’’ she said.

    She said that women used to have answers to every question, and if she were at cross roads, she would go on her knees and ask God for guidance.

    “Her seemly outward calm nature even when she has the world on her head is commendable,’’ she said.

    She, however, said that the exhibition was a celebration of feminism and African family leanings as much as it was a peep into the socio-political and cryptic nature of our society.

    “It is also a need to protect and celebrate women, promote and nurture understanding, love and respect for a woman.

    “I hope that #sisterArt, cultural exhibition will be a movement that will bring to the fore the women in the creative industry.

    “Also, I hope it will drive growth and interest in female artists while sending strong message about the challenges affecting women to the society,’’ she said.

    The convener and project manager, of #sisterArt, Nkang Ini-Dan, said that the aim of the exhibition was to bring women together, celebrating, promoting and projecting them in the creative industry.

    “We want to celebrate them around the world, it is also to create a platform for networking, education and provide opportunities for social, economic and cultural exchanges amongst members.

    “It is to give more voice, better representations, local and international exposures and uniting the world using visual arts,’’ he said.

    Ini-Dan also said that the event was designed to celebrate women and the girl-child all over the world.

    “And to send a very strong message across the world advocating against all forms of violence and abuse against women and the girl-child.

    “The theme was selected to highlight the roles women play in family, society and also in nation building and the need to encourage them to do more,’’ he said.

    One of the exhibitors and an artist, Stella Ubigho, said that women needed more encouragement in arts practice.

    She said that arts needed vigorous orientation for people to understand it because as women artists were coming in “we need to earn a living from it.

    “Some years back, you hardly saw women exhibiting or going into arts. But, these days a lot of us are in it.

    “We need government’s intervention for funds to help us to kick off and be able to set up some other things that we need to make ends meet,’’ she said.

    Another artist and fashion designer, Peace Ebiuwhe, said that arts and fashion if looked into properly by stakeholders, would sell Nigerian culture to the rest of the world.

    “We need tourists to come to this country, to see what we have and doing to be able to patronize us,’’ she said.

    Ebiuwhe noted that the major challenge had been funding; people would promise to sponsor you but would not respond when the time comes.

    “We are eager to do a lot and with funds, we will get there and take the world by storm,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that some of the paintings where thread embroidery, textiles, ceramics wares, installations, bead works, fashion and others.