LATEST NEWS
Tupac Musical/Hip Hop Opera RnD
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Malcolm Kamulete: Actor/Rapper Tupac Shakur
Jackie Kibuka: Dancer/ Actor – Afeni
Oluwatosin Omotosho – Dancer/Actress
Musicians:
Jonathan Allen – Drums
Christopher Rahman – Keyboard Vocal/Sound Engineer
Music Director: Gary Washington
Choreographer/Dancer/Actor: Stanley Duventru-Huret
Producer: Deborah Baddoo
Casting Director: Selma Nicholls
Social Media: Mike Corr
Dramaturg Script: Dr Funmi Adewole Elliott
Director & Writer: Alison Ray
Executive Producer: Alison Ray
📆 Tuesday, 16th June 2026
📍 Venue: The Hat Factory, Bute St,Luton, LU1 2EY
⏰ Time: 7 PM🎟 Tickets: https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/tupac-musical-rnd
📍 Venue: Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St, London SE5 7SB
⏰ Time: 7 PM🎟 Tickets: https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/show/tupac/
FUN, FOOD AND THE FROLICS OF A YOUNG DANCER IN PARIS
Migration means movement from one location to another; synonyms: relocation, emigration, expatriation.
Many an artist have found themselves working in another country for various reasons. My parents relocated to the UK from Barbados for employment; they had worked already scheduled here, so they were actually expats. Their romance commenced in London; net result, myself and three other siblings!
Similarly, I remember leaving the UK in the 90s to tour Europe and finally settling in Paris, where I was able to follow my dreams of becoming a Professional Dancer. France at the time was renowned for its various performing arts opportunities. Maybe, this is why Gene Kelly created “An American in Paris,” Josephine Baker singing “J ai deux pays,” (she has two countries, Paris and America).
Artist in France, for example Dancers, Actors, Technicians, and writers etc, belong to a specialist employment agency ( ANPE). This organisation would have a substantial amount of work, that an artist could apply for. Therefore armed with my training and Dance Diploma from the Laban Centre of Dance and Movement ( Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Movement and Dance), I auditioned for several dance companies. Finally, working with quite a number of choreographers: George Momboye, Maurice Bejart, Euro Disney’s The Legend of the Lion King ( Choreographer Craig Revel Horwood) to name a few!
While I was in France, I developed new skills: learnt the language, moved into the property market, and created my own choreographic work.
The french were fascinated with my Black British persona, physique and training in those days ( now called Exoticism), which opened up a great deal of opportunities, for example film work: Le Jouer de Violin and other choreographic projects. Whatever it is called now, I enjoyed every moment: Fun, Food, and the Frolics of a young dancer in Paris! Ha ha Ha….TBC.
FRENCH RACLETTE AND THE LEGEND OF THE LION KING
I discovered the French Raclette, while performing in “The Legend of the Lion King” in Paris. One of the french dancers suggested all of the dancers participated in her, “Friday Raclette sessions!”
This was so much fun; for several of the dancers in the show came from all around the globe: France, England, America, Cuba, Brazil, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
I anticipated the raclette session, for I was intrigued by the entire set up of french cuisine and conviviality.
Later that day, several dancers arrived with their raclette grills, and those who didn’t have a raclette devise, were instructed to purchase various forms of garnishes: charcuterie ( cold meats), cornichons, boiled potatoes, pickled onions and the raclette cheese or another cheese of their own preference.
These moments of discovering the French culture and cuisine, allowed all of the artist involved to appreciate this diverse, and eclectic artistic community.
Raclette is originally a Swiss dish; however it is also very popular in France. It is a simple dish of melted cheese and other accompaniments, but it has the art of bringing people together; maybe this is what the world needs now!