54.60 Africa – A Rehearsed Reading
25th October, 7.30pm
Join us for a rehearsed reading of pan-African encounters told through story, song, music
54.60 Africa tells the story of ten childhood pals who reunite to celebrate their friendship. Between them, they pledge to visit all 54 countries in Africa and meet seven years later with life-changing adventures to share reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of the continent. A special performance, this 60 minute script in hand R&D presentation will offer up a raw theatre experience that emphasises the power of storytelling and performance.
Written and directed by Femi Elufowoju jr and conceived by the Elufowoju jr Ensemble, 54.60 Africa 2021 R&D is created in partnership with Bernie Grants Arts Centre, Omnibus Theatre Clapham, Hackney Showroom and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
“Theatre with a difference, with a spirit, which will open your eyes and worldview.” – Theatre Box, on the Elufowoju jr Ensemble’s first production, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, 2018
Book tickets for 54.60 Africa, visit here
About the Elufowoju jr Ensemble
Elufowoju jr Ensemble was set up in 2015 by Femi Elufowoju jr and Thomas Kell. It has a mission to create, for the international stage, exceptional world class theatre with imaginative flair, inspired by the continent of Africa.
Its inaugural project was an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s novel The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. Productions have taken place in Abeokuta, Lagos and at the Arcola Theatre in 2018 where the show played to rapturous, packed houses and gained ecstatic reviews and five Off West End Theatre nominations (including winning Best Director award for Femi Elufowoju jr). In November 2019 Elufowoju jr’s new dramatisation of the novel was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
The Ensemble’s other creative collaborations include a public rehearsed reading of Oladipo Agboluaje’s Fractures (partnering with Soho Theatre and nitroBEAT), Terra Kulture’s spectacular African musicals Wakaa and Saro (Shaw Theatre), Jumoke Fashola’s Dirty Little Secrets (Bush Theatre and St James’ Theatre).