In this scene of ‘orishas’ (the spirit of the ancestors) Fela calls to the Gods to speak to his mother. The use of UV light on stage creates a 3D effect, aimed at evoking a spiritual experience. The exceptional make- up and costumes of the cast look impressive under the light.
See the cast of FELA! sharing their excitement and thoughts about the first dress rehearsal. A short journey backstage depicts the dynamics and the energy of the cast before their first performance.
Paulette Ivory introduces the performer Sahr Ngaujah who played the part of Fela Kuti in the original Broadway production and now joins the cast for the London show.
Paulette Ivory gives us a glimpse of the cast's first opportunity to rehearse on the Olivier stage. Paulette has a luminous costume fitting and a baby causes controversy!
We meet Scarlette Douglas, playing Queen Ihase, check out Wanjiru Kamuyu’s spontaneous rhyming, Bill T. Jones talking passionately about African movement, and one almighty dance off!
In this film we meet Paulette Ivory, peek into the FELA! rehearsal room and get to be a fly on the wall as Fela Kuti's son shows Rolan Bell how his father moved.
3 min
About FELA!
From the publisher's feed
A provocative and wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music, FELA! explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Directed and choreographed by…
Bill T. Jones. This collection features short documentaries from the production’s life at the National Theatre in 2010 as well as teaching resources.