See it at The Key Theatre, Sunday 4th May at 4.00pm
As part of our Key Seeds artist development programme, we’re honoured to introduce Lydia Idakula, who brings the inspiring and rarely told story of Queen Idia to the stage in a bold new musical. Lydia’s work draws on her own Nigerian heritage, fusing music, poetry, dance, and storytelling to breathe life into the legendary Queen Mother of Benin.
We caught up with Lydia to discover the roots of this exciting project, her creative influences, and why Queen Idia’s story matters now more than ever.
Key Seeds Artist Q&A: Lydia Idakula – Queen Idia The Musical
1. Queen Idia The Musical is an exciting title. For those who aren’t familiar, can you tell us a little about who Queen Idia was, and what inspired you to bring her story to the stage?
Queen Idia was a powerful 16th-century queen mother of the Benin Kingdom. She was fierce, strategic, and deeply influential in shaping the empire’s history. She was the first Benin woman to fight in a war and the first Queen Mother of the Benin Kingdom because prior to her, every queen mother had to die once her son was crowned King.
A lot of people know about the Benin Bronzes and the 1897 British invasion, but not enough is said about the people those bronzes were modelled after. Their stories, especially the women’s, are often lost or overlooked. Queen Idia’s legacy is one of strength, resistance, and cultural pride, and I wanted to bring her voice to life on stage through music, poetry, and storytelling that reimagines her as more than just a symbol, but as a woman with power, agency, and heart.
2. What drew you personally to Queen Idia’s story, and why do you think it’s important to share it with audiences today?
I was drawn to Queen Idia’s story because it felt both personal and powerful. She’s a reminder of the legacy of strong, strategic African women that often gets erased from mainstream history. As a Nigerian woman and storyteller, I felt a deep need to reclaim and reimagine that narrative.
Her bronze mask is etched into every Nigerian passport and was the emblem of FESTAC ’77, a major cultural festival celebrating Black and African identity. She’s a symbol we’ve all seen, but so few of us know her actual story.
Sharing it today matters because we’re in a time where people are hungry for fuller, richer histories, especially ones that centre African voices and perspectives. Queen Idia’s story challenges the idea of who gets remembered and why, and I think audiences today (especially black audiences) are ready to engage with that.
3. Can you give us a sense of what audiences can expect from the musical? What themes, styles, or emotions are woven through the show?
This sharing is a work-in-progress, so audiences will be getting an early look at a musical that holds real potential for spectacle and scale.
While we’re still developing the full staging, you’ll get a strong sense of the music, storytelling, and emotional world of the show. The finished production will feature rich costumes, movement, dynamic set pieces and a soundscape that blends traditional percussion with contemporary music.
This version is more stripped back, but it’s a chance to connect directly with the story, the performers, and the heart of the piece before it grows into the large-scale production we envision.
4. Your background spans different creative forms. How do music, movement, and storytelling come together in Queen Idia The Musical?
Queen Idia The Musical is all about blending music, movement, and storytelling the way it’s always been done in African traditions. Songs, drums, poetry, and dance are woven into the fabric of the show to tell Queen Idia’s story in a powerful, emotional way. For this work-in-progress sharing, I’m lucky to be joined by an amazing team: writer and poet Donna Ogunnaike, writer and poet Ndukwe Onuoha, singer-songwriter Omolara, actor, dancer and drummer Julius Obende, singer/guitarist Cill Soul, pianist Odutola Akinwunmi also known as Talking Fingers and our movement director Segun Lawal. We’re all bringing our different talents together to create something really vibrant and alive.
5. Are there particular cultural influences, traditions, or personal experiences that have shaped your approach to this production?
Definitely. I grew up in a home where storytelling was part of everyday life. My mother would gather us around to tell ‘tales by moonlight’. In our house, music would come on at 6 in the morning and stay on until 4pm. My father played the guitar and my mother was in a girl band. I grew up in a very artistic household.
That blend of stories, rhythm, and emotion shaped the way I connect with storytelling today. Nigerian culture is a huge influence too. We are a country full of multi-talented people, and there’s a deep culture of excellence when it comes to music, theatre, and storytelling. It’s in our blood.
Seeing Queen Idia’s bronze mask on my passport and learning about her legacy made me realise how important it is to tell our stories, not just the artefacts and symbols, but the real, powerful people behind them. This musical is about honouring that tradition, celebrating who we are, and creating something alive, moving, and rooted in our history.
6. What has been the most rewarding or surprising part of developing this show so far?
The most rewarding – and surprising – part has been seeing how deeply people connect to the story, even at this early stage. Every time we’ve shared a little, whether it’s a song, a poem, or a scene, there’s been such a powerful emotional response. During our sharing in Cambridge, people were crying in the audience and we had 3 standing ovations; One in the middle of the show. I had never seen that happen before and it was quite a pleasant surprise. It reminds me everyday why telling these stories matters.
7. How has your time with the Key Seeds programme supported or inspired your creative process?
The Key Seeds programme has been such a huge support. It’s given me space to think bigger, to trust my creative instincts, and to connect with other brilliant artists who are pushing boundaries in their own work. It’s also been a real confidence boost. Having a network of people who believe in the potential of Queen Idia The Musical has made a big difference.
8. What do you hope people will take away after experiencing Queen Idia The Musical? Are there specific messages or feelings you’d like them to leave with?
I hope audiences leave Queen Idia The Musical feeling inspired by the strength and resilience of our history. It’s about honoring the past, celebrating our culture, and recognising how far we’ve come. I want them to feel proud of our roots, the richness of African stories, and how they continue to shape our future. Above all, I want people to walk away with a deeper sense of connection. Not just to the story of Queen Idia, but to the power of storytelling itself.
9. Is this show the beginning of a larger journey for you – perhaps more musicals or further exploration of historical stories?
Absolutely! Queen Idia The Musical is just the beginning. It’s part of a larger mission for me to tell more African stories through different creative forms, especially musicals. I’m really passionate about bringing history to life in ways that resonate with today’s audience. There are so many untold stories that deserve to be heard, and I hope this show opens the door for more historical narratives, exploring not just the big moments in history, but also the smaller, personal stories that shaped who we are today.
10. And finally – if you had to sum up Queen Idia The Musical in just three words, what would they be?
3 words is so difficult… I would say Timeless, Heartfelt, Groundbreaking.
Don’t Miss It!
Experience the passion, pride, and power of African history reimagined for the stage. Queen Idia The Musical comes to The Key Theatre on Sunday 4th May at 4.00pm. Join Lydia Idakula and her team for a truly special work-in-progress sharing—one that promises to inspire, move, and connect.