A Music Theatre Wales and FIO co-production

The Jollof House Party Opera

A vegan Nigerian food pop-up served with a 15 minute hip-hop inspired opera

Chef Adeola is feeling the heat, and we’re not talking pepper soup! With the pressures of a new business, a lockdown baby and an upcoming food safety inspection, how is our budding foodie entrepreneur going to cope?

The Jollof House Party Opera is a live pop-up experience serving a Nigerian delicacy (100% vegan) in places of communal gathering across Wales, accompanied by a 15-minute hip-hop influenced operatic story. Take a journey in taste, aroma and rhythms in this one-of-a-kind show.

The show is written and performed by Welsh-Nigerian writer, rapper and chef, Tumi Williams and also stars acclaimed soprano Gweneth Ann Rand. Directed by Welsh-Indian Sita Thomas, The Jollof House Party Opera is a true celebration of modern, multicultural Cymru. Based on a Celtic Film Award-winning short film by the same creators, The Jollof House Party Opera was created to shake up and reshape conceptions of opera and live artistic performance as well as address inequities in access to art and culture.

A multidisciplinary artist, Tumi Williams’ first artistic love is music, working in a blend of styles including hip hip, Afro funk and jazz. He is also a chef and founder of Jollof House Party, a pop up serving vegan Nigerian food.

Dr Sita Thomas is a cultural leader and creator based in Cardiff. She is Artistic Director and CEO of Fio, a theatre and arts company that exists to create a significant positive shift in the Welsh cultural sector, supporting Global Majority people to thrive in the arts.

Cast & Creatives

Tumi Williams – Adeola:  Chef 

Gweneth Ann Rand – Sade:  Food Inspector 

Joe Beardwood and Laurence Collier – Musicians 

Sita Thomas – Director and Co-Creator 

Jasmine Araujo – Design

Robert Fokkens – Composition Support 

Tia Camilleri – Assistant Director 

Elayce Ismail – Dramaturgical Support

FREE Workshops with Tumi Williams

Join Tumi Williams as he facilitates workshops across the three locations, giving participants the opportunity to engage with hip-hop, writing, cooking and performing, whilst discussing identity and community in Wales today.

HAVERFORDWEST
Wednesday 15 February, 4-7pm
Narbeth Bloomfield Community Centre

WREXHAM
Friday 17 February, 4-7pm
The Useful Arts Space, Ty Pawb

CARDIFF
Tuesday 28 February, 5-8pm
The Council Chamber, Temple of Peace

All workshop attendees receive a FREE ticket to a performance at the venue of their choice.