Sound designer/arranger
Director PHYLLIDA LLOYD
Designer ANTHONY WARD
Choreographer & Nigerian Advisor PETER BADEJO
Musical Director & Composer MURAINA OYELAMI
Lighting RICK FISHER
Sound GARY YERSHON
I had assumed there would be no opportunity to work on this production. Music plays a central part in the play, but it calls for a kind I couldn’t provide — authentic Yoruba music played by Yoruba musicians. Phyllida hired Peter Badejo for that, who in turn brought in Muraina Oyelami. However, the second act, set in the residence of the British district officer, needed olde-style ballroom music, so Phyllida smuggled me in to deal with that, plus, under the tutelage of the late Phil Clifford, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s head of sound, entrusting me with the production’s sound design.
It was one of the honours of my life to watch Peter, Muraina and their musicians rehearse with the cast. Peter explained to me what was going on musically, opening me up to a world I hadn’t experienced first hand, only from books and recordings. Its dynamism told its own story when contrasted with the oom-pah-pah of the waltzes and polkas I arranged for brass band.
The leading roles were played by George Harris, Claire Benedict, Jude Akuwudike, Simon Dormandy, Nicola Redmond and Peter Badejo himself. All amazing, as were the rest of the cast. I was grateful to have the opportunity of working with several of them again, including Claire and Peter, on Phyllida’s next production at the Exchange: Medea.
