Fela! Is Headed to London's National Theater, with Stars Ngaujah and Mambo Intact

Fela!, the Broadway musical about Afrobeat music star Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is heading to London. The show will play at the National Theater later this year, according to The New York Times, with current stars Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo set to reprise their roles as the title character.

In Fela!, which is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Anikulapo-Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), in a hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater, the show explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Ngaujah and Mambo alternate performances in the role of Fela.

Fela! will play in repertory with a production of Hamlet starring Rory Kinnear at the Olivier Theatre at the National. No further information is available at this time.