Afrobeats musical ‘Oliva Tweest: The AfroMusical’ [@OlivaTMusical] announces groundbreaking UK tour

Introducing the exciting Afrobeat musical returning for a second time for a UK tour across London, Coventry, and Manchester in October 2018.

Following its sold-out West End debut at the Lyric Theatre as the UK’s first ever Afrobeats musical in 2013, and a short-run at the legendary Hackney Empire in 2014, as well as a one-off special at the 2016 Lagos Theatre Festival, supported by the British Council and also in addition to a  week-long development residency at The Barbican, afrobeats musical Oliva Tweest: The AfroMusical is excited to announce its highly anticipated and long-awaited return, by way of a UK tour in October 2018, playing in London and at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, and Manchester’s Opera House.

The AfroMusical has picked the perfect time in 2018, with the successful Broadway hip-hop musical Hamilton coming to London and the rest of the world discovering Afrobeats and becoming highly popular, especially in the UK over the past 12 months.

From the Nigerian star Wizkid selling out the 02 arena for his Afrorepublik festival, and UK artists Yxng Bane and Not3s hitting the charts with their Afrobeat inspired music, afrobeats is now truly leaving its mark on the world and it’s the perfect moment for Oliva Tweest: The AfroMusical to be making its long-awaited return.

Eddie Kaddie, the first ever black British comedian to headline the 02 arena and renowned as one of the best Black British comedians of our time, the acclaimed actor and presenter, has starred in cult classics such as Anuvahood and Shank, worked for Capital Xtra, appeared on CNN Talk, Soccer AM, and BBC Radio 5 Live, and is currently hosting a weekly talk show on Rinse FM.

Headlining as ‘Master of ceremonies’, better known as ‘baba host’, Eddie’s character should not be confused with just a narrator, he is much more powerful. Breaking the fourth wall, the ‘Baba Host’ invites the audience to witness and even take part in his master plan.

Headlining as co-lead star and playing Testimony/Joanna is Latisha Antoine, an alumnus of the prestigious Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School. Her theatre credits include performing in Dick Whittington And His Cat at both the Hackney Empire and Broadway Theatre, and playing lead in Eternal Ages at Shaw Theatre last year. Latisha has also starred in BBC Three drama Excluded, and performed with Leona Lewis at the Royal Albert Hall and BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend festival.

The AfroMusical is a captivating musical, which follows the ambitions of London hustler and club-promoter Tobi, who has no problem winning female attention but yearns to shake off his shady reputation and move up in the world.

Driven by his need to succeed, he plans the ultimate concert to attract his idol and Afrobeats legend D’Banj, naming it after the musician’s global hit ‘Oliver Twist’. However, when he finds out that the landlord of his chosen concert venue intends to convert the building into a church, Tobi is forced to disguise his true intentions.

Speaking on taking Oliva Tweest: The Afromusical on tour, the creator PureYinkz says:

Oliva Tweest: The AfroMusical on tour, PureYinkz says, “It’s a dream come true for me to see the show going on tour with well-renowned venue partners. We have been given so much support and encouragement to get to this point. It will be the first time showcasing the fully developed Afrobeats show and we’ll be working with the same partners as ‘Motown Musical’, ‘Matilda’ and ‘Wicked’.  I am both excited and nervous about what happens next. The theatre industry has been looking for this mythical ‘new audience’ but we are going to show them that the people are out there. I’ve developed this show to bring two worlds together – Introducing a traditional theatre audience to the Afrobeats culture, and filling up theatres with young, energetic Afrobeats fans to breathe new life into these venues”.

Oliva Tweest: The AfroMusical takes place in October 2018 across London, Coventry and Manchester. Advanced tickets are available right now viahttp://olivatweestmusical.com