This year marks the 10th anniversary of Helen Epega’s groundbreaking Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera and what better way to celebrate than to host the production in the historic Wilton’s Music Hall.
Blending Western classical music, African percussion and futuristic soundscapes, the opera weaves together Nigerian Pidgin English, Patois, Creole, Cockney and Hip-Hop/rap in an innovative and vibrant way, highlighting the interconnected nature of the diasporan experience.
This visually and sonically immersive production follows Kenate, a heroine battling for love, identity and redemption in an Afrofuturistic world which takes the audience on a journey of discovery, finding hope, faith and healing along the way.
It is a production which redefines opera, and there is something poignant about the way multiculturalism is brought to life on stage in a venue within a city as richly diverse as London.
The musicality of Song Queen is superb with a rich depth of sound and texture brought to life through the vocal and instrumental renditions presented to us by a formidable cast. The interspersion of dance was particularly compelling and brought the story to life in a unique way. The visual art was also a great way of using art to connect with the audience.
The story itself was lost at times and did not always connect on an emotional level which is not to say that the message itself wasn’t important or powerful but it just didn’t always feel like it resonated. I was anticipating slightly more Pidgin English overall and didn’t feel like the rap element was necessary given the strength of the overall musical arrangement.
Song Queen is an impressive and innovative piece of musical theatre which deserves 10 more years.
NEED TO KNOW: Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera plays at Wilton’s Music Hall from 24 to 26 Apr 2025
