Femi Elufowoju jr– interview

Описание: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives until 7 June 2025
54.60 Africa from 14 June to 12 July 2025
Arcola Theatre
Interview by Ronke Lawal

ABOUT 54.60 AFRICA
54.60 Africa is an exhilarating new play featuring live music, song, and dance. Tracing the journey of 11 characters across a continent, this pan-African encounter follows the success of Femi Elufowoju jr’s smash hit production for Arcola Theatre, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. Before turning 60, Femi travelled to all of Africa’s then 54 nations, a series of life changing experiences that prompted 54.60 Africa – an original tale of cross-cultural exploration.

ABOUT THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is a scandalous, engrossing tale of sexual politics and family strife in modern-day Nigeria. Lola Shoneyin’s bestselling novel bursts on to the stage in a vivid adaptation by Caine Award-winning playwright Rotimi Babatunde.


ABOUT FEMI ELUFOWOJU JR - Writer and Director
Elufowoju jr was the founding artistic director of tiata fahodzi.

In 2013 the Elufowoju jr Ensemble, conceived the stage adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives which in the same year received its world premiere at the Ake Festival in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

For Arcola Theatre, Elufowoju jr directed Hoard by Bim Adewunmi, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (a co-production with Watford Palace Theatre) and in the summer of 2024, Suzan-Lori Parks’ The Book of Grace.

Elufowoju jr directed Verdi’s Rigoletto for Opera North (2022) and in the same year
directed and wrote a new libretto Der anonyme Liebhaber (based on the life of
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges) for Konzert und Theater St Gallen.

Recognitions Olivier Nomination – Outstanding Production in an affiliate theatre (Iya-Ile, the first wife) Offie Winner – Best Director (The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives)
South Bank Sky Arts Winner – Best Opera Production (Rigoletto)

Elufowoju jr was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the
2023 Birthday Honours for services to drama.