About Us
Declassical has a reputation for designing and producing a variety of shows and events worldwide. Although it began as a music performance studio, this company has grown to provide full-scale events, music and theatre productions.
Declassical’s philosophy involves creating a culture of excellence that is enhanced by exceptional magical moments and brilliant spectacles. We excel in the performing arts (performance and education), and project management.
To date, we have staged musical theatre productions such as OMG the Musical, Legends the Musical, Amofin, Ajala and Osamede and Gula, and we have produced festivals like the Okija Festival in Anambra state, Nigeria.
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 Pianist, Composer, Music Director and Artistic Director.
He is a strong exponent of African Music, he writes sacred and art music in Yoruba language and other Nigerian languages. Ayo is a talented Music Director with a career that has spanned more than thirty years of musical and artistic creations.
Ayo is the Artistic Director of Declassical Studio, and Organization that promotes African stories. This organization has been directly involved in the creation of over 100 musicals, concerts, festivals other social and corporate events. Notable shows include Legends the Musical and OMG the Musical, sponsored by MTN Foundation, Fela, Arrest the music, The Future is here for the Presidential Economic Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), Nigeria, Osamede and many others.
During the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, he launched the Nigerian Art Music Project (NAM Project), a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing Nigerian Art music to a global audience. NAM Project has curated and produced four virtual concerts and created arguably the most extensive online collection of Nigerian Art Music performances and scores.
Ayo is currently the Music Director and Organist of St. Margaret’s Church in Barking, London. He was previously the Artistic Director of the MTN/MUSON Valentine Concert series for five seasons. He has also performed as an accompanist for some of the best Nigerian individuals and ensembles which include Prof. Laz Ekwueme, MUSON Choir and the Lagos City Chorale for many years.
Obinna Jackson is a Choreographer, Movement Director and also A Line dance influencer in Nigeria.
*he Graduated from the Society for Performing Art in Nigeria (SPAN) and got some masterclasses in Germany and USA.
* Obinna Jackson and his Dance team, Stars on Earth(SOE) were the first to represent Nigeria in the World hip-hop championship (HHI) In Las Vegas USA and also a co-founder of the Pincode Family. He had worked with well known renowned production companies and taught in numerous workshops in Nigeria, the USA, Benin Republic and Togo
EXPLORE OUR EXPERTISE
Our Offerings
MUSICAL THEATRE/STAGE PRODUCTIONS
We create world-class musical theatre/stage play productions aimed at informing, educating, and entertaining our audiences.
AUDIO/LIGHTING ENGINEERING & DESIGN
We collect, edit, and create sound effects, ambient effects, or any other form of interactive media.
AUDIO/LIGHTING ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY
We create professional animation or digital footage which create the illusion of motion or rotation, and are usually combined with audio for use in multimedia projects
STAGE / SET DESIGN
Stage set design which is also known as scenic design. We create stunning set design for stage play, or where film performance takes place.
EVENT RIGGING
We ensure the infrastructure for the scenic, lighting, sound and audio-visual elements of a live event are installed safely, in accordance with technical plans which they are able to read and interpret.
LIVE/VIRTUAL & HYBRID STREAMING
We conduct Live – All attendees are physically present in one location. Virtual – People attend the event entirely online. Hybrid – Some people attend in person, others online.
EVENT PRODUCERS
We initiate, supervise and manage content creation, technical delivery and programming for shows/events.
