‘Moremi’ relives the legendary story of a woman who sacrificed everything; her marriage, her son and even the risk of death in order to secure the future of the people of Ile-Ife.
Daughter of one of Ife’s bravest hunter-warriors, Lukugba, and Princess Olunbe of Offa; Moremi was raised to question injustice and stand up for the oppressed no matter who they were or where they came from. When Love came calling, she answered but there are prices to pay.
When invaders again renew their raids on the people after being previously defeated by the help of her father, Moremi volunteers to be taken captive; to learn the secrets of the enemy. But not without first seeking help from the river goddess, Esinminrin with a vow to return with a sacrifice when she succeeds.
In captivity, she finds favor with the Bush King; and with power, means and opportunity, she escapes back to Ife to empower the warriors with the knowledge of how to defeat the enemy. When the bush invaders again come to take the harvest and the people as slaves, it is Moremi who leads the charge as Ife is liberated forever from her tormentors.
The price of peace would be the sacrifice of her only child, Oluorogbo, as demanded by the goddness. Nothing else would appease the powerful deity of the River, and Moremi faithfully keeps her word.
The producer,Joseph Umoibom, of the Moremi outlines the journey of the Musical up to this point.Excerpts;
Of all the musicals you have produced and directed Is Moremi the musical your most favorite musical?
Actually all my musicals have a special place in my heart from Saro, Wakaa, Fela and now Moremi. Moremi is different because it is of legendary proportions and it has our beautiful culture represented. It is a joint production by House of Oduduwa, Rejuvenee and Bolanle Austen-Peters
What process does it involve to make this type of production?
It is a very elaborate process. We do auditions for weeks with our core team in place and the director BaP ultimately chooses the best person for the role. We also get the administrative, sponsorship and logistics side of things in place. That is huge because it involves over 170people.
How did the journey start?
House of Oduduwa in partnership with Rejuvenne had asked us to produce and direct it having seen Moremi several times wih different angles BAP took a completely innovative and unusual angle. She got a series of script writers and with the way she works the lines develop as she directs on a daily basis
Who are the Costumiers?
Terra kulture inhouse team, Itunnu, Juliana and Fidelia and Mrs Austen Peters does all the color scheme and style direction for each person’s costume. The Costumiers then make them.
What is the process of developing the music?
As the lines are being read I generally ask the talented music composer Kehinde Oritinehin to put melody into the lines for me. i decide where I want music placed at every point. Atimes the Music composer puts together original pieces for me which the band and music compose and casts work on it together. We have copyrighted all our music as part of our BAP production catalogue.
Who are your choreographers?
We have expert choreographers who have worked witth us for over 10 years now at Terrakulture. Paolo Sissiano and Justin Ezirin they sit with the Director and ask her vision for each scene and once they get a sense of what she wants, they immediately go to action. House of Emisara also provided the incredible jewellery. Making the authenticity complete.
What next?
Our hope is that we together with House Of Oduduwa take the play around the world like we have done with all other plays. We are in conversation with some Americans on the possibility of taking it to New York.oni
