Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a fascinating person, musically and politically, with an equally fascinating and pretty unique story and personal life. A story worth the telling, and to be re-told as many times as possible, whether in books, film or any kind of media. Hearing that a musical was centred around him left me oddly intrigued though also a little unsure as to whether such a colourful personality and complex personal life leant themselves well to musicals or "accessible" enough.
Get a lot of enjoyment and pleasure out of watching the National Theatre Live productions, but 'Fela!' (felt this way when first seeing it and my feelings sadly haven't changed) is one of the very few productions of the series that is classed by me as a well-intended, interesting disappointment. Not a failure but left me with very mixed feelings, when a vast majority of the series' productions are solid to outstanding it is very difficult to not expect more. Playing a large part in the disappointment is the musical itself, great songs, Kuti is a compelling character and the second half has some genuine emotion but it is a case of the second half being much better than the first and the drama fails to match the musical numbers. Kuti and his life were much more interesting than is depicted in 'Fela!'
When the source material is flawed, it is very rarely easy overcoming the short-comings when adapting/performing it. None of 'Fela's!' problems are corrected really in this production. If anybody disagrees here and the musical and production worked better for them (and fair enough if that's the case), this is just respectful personal opinion and am really hoping the review doesn't offend.
It is a great looking production, with lots of spectacular colours. The songs really lift the spirits and leave a lump in the throat, and they are all thrillingly performed. Much of the choreography is wonderfully energetic, thrilling at its very best.
Did find the second half much more emotionally investable and cohesive, the raid on the compound for instance is very moving. The best thing about the production though is Sahr Ngaujah, who is sensational. The wit, thrills, intensity, ferocity and poignancy are aplenty and with full impact.
Sadly, his performance is one that deserved a better production. Just like Kuti and his story deserved better source material. The rest of the cast are more than competent but they are not really up to the same standard as Ngaujah, which would have been a tough act to follow in all fairness, and their characters are never as fleshed out as Kuti's. Some of the choreography can be a little hyperactive, and while the production looks great the overuse of projections tended to be distracting.
Outside of the musical numbers, the production really lags in momentum and the musical itself is the problem here. The drama too often doesn't come to life, let alone rivets, and at its worst it stops at a standstill. That was when something happening. What made Kuti and his life interesting is toned down and glossed over comparitively, or at least what was covered (and there was more to them than what is shown), Kuti's attitude towards women for example. It is a good thing that the second half has a little more to it than the first, which outside of the musical numbers and Ngaujah was rather dull with too many uneventful stretches, when something did happen it was bland and borderline incoherent.
To conclude, admirable but not my cup of tea either as a musical or a production. 5/10
