According to press materials, the show is a provocative hybrid of dance, theatre and music, exploring the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Alistair Spalding, artistic director of Sadler's Wells, commented, "Fela! has been a huge success both on Broadway and at the National Theatre and I'm thrilled we are now able to bring it to Sadler's Wells. I have keenly followed the development of the show from its earliest days and it is wonderful to be working once again with Bill T. Jones and in partnership with the National. Fela! is an incredibly entertaining combination of dance, music and theatre making it the perfect summer show for Sadler's Wells."
The National Theatre's artistic director Nicholas Hytner added, "Having Fela! at the National Theatre has been thrilling and unforgettable. Bill T. Jones, his creative team and brilliant company created an exhilarating experience in the Olivier Theatre, and audiences came in their droves to dance in the aisles - almost half of them visiting the NT for the first time. I'm delighted that the party isn't over and that London audiences will have another chance to see this extraordinary show at Sadler's Wells."
The show received its world premiere Off-Broadway in September 2008, where it won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, before transferring to Broadway's O'Neill Theatre in November 2009 where it won three 2010 Tony Awards, for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and Best Sound Design, as well as an Astaire Award for Bill T. Jones' choreography.
Fela! is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, and music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, the design and costumes are by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Robert Wierzel and sound design by Robert Kaplowitz. It is produced in association with Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Susan Dietz/Mort Swinsky, Knitting Factory Entertainment and with Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson.
To book tickets, on sale from Jan. 24, contact the box office on 0844 412 4300, or visit www.sadlerswells.com.
