By Dayo Showemimo
YOU, the live stage play and music concert by comedian YAW was a pleasant event with many high points.
Held at Eko Hotel and Suites, in Lagos on Sunday, May 31, 2015. Hosts ChiGurl, Mc Abbey and ‘Laff Up’ anchored a well rehearsed event that was well worth its money.
However, as is usually the case with most shows/concerts organised by Nigerians, the programme started three hours behind schedule.
The ‘regular’ guests arrived early to their ‘all black chairs’ but the VIP was virtually empty till about 7pm. Vintage Band however, did a great job to entertain the early arrivals.
At exactly 7pm, comedians Mc Abbey and ‘Laff Up’ came on stage to officially kick start the show by apologising for starting late, then a couple of fast rising acts like Ben 7, Ransome and others performed.
And a very talented rising comedian Kenny Black and Bow Leg practically cracked every rib.
A couple more comedians like Bash and Funny Bone came on stage, setting the tune for what was to come.
The stage play ‘YOU’
At 8:42pm the stage play, ‘YOU’ began with a great entrance by Okey Bakassi
The first scene saw Yaw and Okey Bakkasi dwell on a very important topic – ‘Traffic signs’. The scene sought to enlighten its audience on common traffic signs and errors. Like taking note of the Zebra crossings, using the overhead bridge amongst others.
In a brilliant satirical manner, the second scene saw the duo act out the infamous tearing of party membership card by one of Nigeria’s famous politicians.
Other scenes saw the duo act out the ‘Jumping of fence’ by National Assembly members, the Buhari certificate saga, recreating the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao bout. Other scenes include the missing Chibok girls, missing ‘$20 billion’ and the famous Oba of Lagos ‘Lagoon saga’.
The scenes flowed seamlessly, showing a great deal of planning, organising and rehearsal as they achieved near perfection with a closing message that preached ‘CHANGE’.
Olu Maintain, Azadus, African China and co turned it to a carnival
Words cannot even describe the nostalgia these veterans brought to the show. Their performance got everyone in the hall on their feet singing, dancing and jumping.
It began with Daddy Fresh performing his latest song ’Okoso’, then the crowd went wild when Azadus came up with his smash hit, ‘Madam’. Back to back, Jazzman Olofin hit the stage with ‘Raise the roof’. Olu Maintain performed ‘Yahooze’, while African China and Danfo Drivers took guests through the repertoire that made fans fall in love with them years back.
The Ali Baba, Cosy and Fashola effect
The trio of Ali Baba, Cosy Orjiakor and Abimbola Fashola were not spared by the comedians. They made jokes of them, for them, with them and about them. Buchi couldn’t get his eyes off ‘Cossy’s assets and that was practically all he spoke about.
Jokes about Mrs. Abimbola Fashola’s exit from office, her new beginning and how supportive she’s been to the industry were endless.
Olamide, Iyanya, Davido closed the show
It wasn’t all about music from the ‘old school’ guys, leaders of the new school music also did their bit.
Davido, who just flew in from the United States closed the show with a brilliant performance. YBNL stars Olamide and Lil Kesh performed as well, while Iyanya, Cynthia Morgan, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and Díja entertained as well.
For an event that seemed pretty uneventful at the beginning, quite an amazing end it had.
