FELA! Gets West End Treatment, 11/6

The National Theatre will be bringing Broadway's Fela! to London's Olivier Theatre for a November 6 premiere.  The show will be joined by Michael Grandage's Danton's Death and new plays by Moira Buffini and Mike Bartlett.  Also announced by the National, Desmond Barrit and Malcom Sinclair will be joining the cast of The Habit of the Art beginning July 14.

Fela!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, welcomes audiences into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), the musical explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.

Fela! features a multi-cultural cast led by Sahr Ngaujah (recipient of an Obie Award for his performance in the title role Off- Broadway) and Kevin Mambo (MTC's Ruined), alternating in the role of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Tony Award-winner Lillias White plays Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Fela's mother) and Saycon Sengbloh (Hair) plays Sandra, Kuti's love interest.

Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is currently enjoying a critically acclaimed run at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) starring, in addition to Mr. Ngaujah and Mr. Mambo, Lillias White and Saycon Sengbloh.  Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo play the title character at alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of AaRon Johnson, perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage. Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.

Tickets for Fela! on Broadway are available through www.Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200 or in-person at The Eugene O'Neill Box Office. For more information about Fela!, visit www.FelaOnBroadway.com.