About Us
Declassical Arts & Entertainment was founded in the year 2006 as a musical production company.
Our offerings have expanded over the years to include a full show and events production consultancy.
Declassical is a leader in the design and production of a variety of shows and events around the Country. Our markets include but not limited to; corporations, nonprofits, large community events, brand activations, etc.
Last weekend, something happened in Abuja. DeClassical Arts & Entertainment and Seeing Through the Arts Productions in Conjunction with Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, brought to us a weekend of profound theatre experience. The show took place on the 7th and 8th of June in the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama. It held twice – 4 pm & 7 pm – for the two days.
Legends The Musical: An Abuja Evening Of Remarkable Theatre Experience
Legends is a musical production of Africa’s icons and cultures directed and produced by Gbenga Yusuf and Ayodele Ajayi. It was basically like Marvel’s Avengers, but with Africa’s Legends and music. Plus, you get to watch it live on stage. Read More
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Yinka Olatunbosun
The title, “OMG the Musical” would elicit the image of a light-hearted rom-com or coming-of-age story, at best. The show, which was supported by the MTN Foundation, was staged at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre which wore a bright new look with the enlarged photos of the cast and MTN themed-decor.
The musical is woven on the story of Gafuma, a competent and ambitious woman who works in a paramilitary organisation called the OMG – One Movement Group.
Gafuma is both qualified and desirous of becoming the Commander-General of the OMG. She is keen on succeeding the current Commander-General. However, Gafuma is ignored and a man – who is nowhere near her in qualifications and competence – is appointed Commander-General.
Disappointed, Gafuma confronts the former Commander-General on his decision. In a very typical misogynistic fashion, he admonishes her to be content with being second-in command. Read More
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TOMI FALADE
LAGOS
There was indeed a time when theatre in Nigeria was a movement. Not one to shy away from the mystical, Nigerian theatre embraced the mythical and legendary and in turn presented the audience with satiric impressions of a world long gone, all without losing the essence of quality entertainment.
In the last few years, quite a number of plays, musicals and stage shows have attempted to return that quality to Nigerian theatre. Many failed and merely entertained. Others were simply reminiscent of Broadway shows. But a select few returned to the roots and brought out the real magic of theatre, just as seen at the staging of Paul Ugbede’s OMG the Musical as directed by Kelvin-Mary Ndukwe and produced by music maestro, Ayo Ajayi at AGIP Hall, MUSON Centre.
Fantastically choreographed by Tony ‘Thin Tall Tony’ Offiong with emotive music composed and directed by Ayo Ajayi, the production of OMG the Musical was as magical as ever. Read More
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“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots”. These words from Marcus Garvey was quoted by Ayo Ajayi, the producer of OMG The Musical, during a tweet chat. This primarily highlights the value placed on Nigerian culture and history by the producer who has directed a couple of topnotch musicals. The producer touches emphatically on Nigerian history in his productions. One of such is the recently staged musical, OMG. The musical visits Nigerian history to shed light on the contributions and efforts of three Nigerian heroes. They are Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and Gambo Sawaba. One of the many things these heroes have in common is not just that they were politicians but that they defied the strong arm of oppression in their time to defend women’s rights. They were activists who fought for not just the rights of women, they also were part of the fight against colonialism and oppression from leaders. Read more
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This week is the week of Felabrations. Many music events are celebrating the memory of Fela Kuti across Lagos. Freedom Park has a series of Afro-beat concerts, same thing at the New Afrika Shrine. And this year a musical called Fela – arrest the music, written by Paul Ugbede, in reference to the life of Fela, in Nigeria, during which Fela was a strong critic of the short-comings of successive governments and generals. State coffers where used to fill private pockets, especially with bubbling oil resources being the main government income. Theft, corruption were the essential ways to get rich for the happy few who in the meantime ignored the poverty and the stagnation of the masses.
The musical was played at Muson Centre, the classical musical institution of Lagos. It was musically directed by a Nigerian who graduated at the Muson center itself, Ayo Ajayi, therefore one of the first musical made in Nigeria. This was, in my view, a very good thing because the characters were really authentically nigerian and their nigerian-ness was what made the difference emotionally. Read More
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One of the most critically acclaimed shows on the Lagos theatre circuit-Legends, Kings and Kingdoms: the Musical’ opened for the first time in Abuja to packed crowds and rave reviews.
The musical drama, produced by Seeing through the Arts and Declassical Arts & Entertainment showed at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton on June 7 and 8, sold out seats and attracted dignitaries – including, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong and Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as well as top Federal Government officials and members of the diplomatic community.
In the musical, five African heroes: Nigeria’s Sango, Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ashanti in modern Ghana, Queen Neferneferuaten Nefertiti of Egypt, Shaka, King of the Zulus in modern South Africa and Queen Amina of Zazzau in what is now northern Nigeria answer the call of a distressed priestess to save their people, ‘Modaland,’ from a common enemy – the Shadow. The production explores themes of loyalty, love, honour and overcoming formidable odds. Read More
Team
AYO AJAYI is a theatre producer and director, a pioneer music director in the Nigerian theatre industry who, to date, has directed well over 50 Musicals, producing some of Nigeria’s finests. His active participation in the Nigerian musicals theatre space started when he directed the music of the popular Saro the musical and Wakaa the musical (Lagos & London) both from the stables of BAP Production.
His musical talent was honed from a very early age with lessons from his father before been nurtured at the CMS Grammar School where he eventually became the School Choral director and pianist. His debut was at the age of seven when He performed at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conference concert at the Sheraton Hotels in Abuja with the group Rising Star led by Tosin Adejumo and he has since then been involved in several educational and performance tours both in and outside the country.
Ayo Ajayi is the Creative Director of Declassical Arts & Entertainment, a top production company in Nigeria which has produced phenomenal musical theatre performances like OMG the Musical, Legends the Musical, The Lost Chord, Fela; Arrest the Music, Gula’, Ajala, Home the Musical, Ununcha the musical, to mention but a few. He was also the Music Director for Midnight Hotel, Wait, Evolution of African Musical, Full Circle, ‘Obele and The Storyteller’. Ayo, who has taught music in schools for more than two decades. He is the immediate past President of the MUSON School Alumni Association and is also a Pianist, Organist, Composer, and Choral Conductor.
Olaoluwatoyosi Ajayi is the Production manager with DeClassical Arts &
Entertainment Company, with over 6 productions successfully done under her watch displaying core strengths such as great leadership skills and team workability, she is result-oriented and good with decision making.
She has over 7 years of management experience in different sectors and currently works as an occupational health and safety manager.
She is a graduate of the University of Lagos (Unilag) with an MSc in Public Health in view.
An industry trained safety professional with both NEBOSH and NISCN certifications
Since joining DeClassical Arts & Entertainment Company, she has gone on to flawlessly work with the team and successfully produced acclaimed shows some of which are; MultiChoice’s memorial for Martin Mabutho, The lost chord for the 25yrs anniversary of the MUSON Festival, OMG the musical, Lagos and OMG drive-in show, Abuja, The future is here for PEBEC at 5, the widely successful Osamede the play just to name a few
