Dear Kaffy: Diary of a Single Woman follows Kikelomo, who keeps falling for men who let her down, while her parents and sister ask the question every single woman dreads: when are you getting married? Her two best friends hold her together through it, and this Lagos-meets-London musical shows you exactly where that cycle leads.
Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the casting alone tells you how good this production is. Every actor is perfect for their role. Uzoma Oluchi Osimkpa anchors it all, she holds chemistry with every actor that glues the whole story together. Akah Nnani is so good as the disappointing love interest that you almost root for him to get a second (or third) chance. Toyin Abraham, as Mummy, lights up the stage every time she’s on it, and Lookman Sanusi is brilliant as Daddy. Mike Afolarin and the rest of the cast bring real weight too; no one is coasting.
It is a musical, and the singing matches the acting beat for beat. The costumes, all African-inspired with a recurring pop of red, are stunning. Yoruba threads through the dialogue without losing anyone who doesn’t speak it.
The live band is never seen, but you feel every beat of the drum and sound of the keys; they’re there, driving the whole show from somewhere out of sight. The use of screen visuals pulls you in further, making the whole thing feel immersive rather than staged. And the audience doesn’t just watch. The audience respond out loud, in the moment, the way you would with characters who start to feel like your own friends. A real community is built and by the end of the show, you realise you belong in too.
Funny, thoughtful, occasionally painful, and most importantly it’s universal. Take your girls, take your parents, take a date.
NEED TO KNOW: Dear Kaffy runs at the Shaw Theatre, London, until 9 August. Get your tickets now.
RELATED LINKS:
See listing
The Award-Winning Nigerian Stage Production Dear Kaffy Makes Its Highly Anticipated London Debut
