These exclusive tracks are sung by the superbly talented Nigeria’s Narrator Benneth Ogbeiwi.  He is also the musical director of the show.

“I guess we can handle going to Lourdes, but it is for one night and one night only!”

“...who’s going to give me a hand with the story?  Come on! You all know how it goes.”

“Seven days she came,

Every time the same

She would kneel down by the water

Watched by every son and daughter

Some would come to tease

Some were on their knees...”

“But despite the Dean

Bernadette was seen

Every day down by the river

Soon five thousand gathered with her...”

“Now my dear it may be late

But it’s time we got your story straight.”

“Well the lawyers and doctors are crawling all over here now! Let’s see what Doctor Dozous makes of it.  Hey, doctor! What do you make of this Bernadette Soubirous affair?

“Right!  They want to take us on?  That’s fine.  Let’s get up there (to the grotto).  Are you with me?”

“The time has come to stop all the questions, there’s nothing more to say or to be known.”

Jonathan Smith answers questions from Nigeria’s Press.

Female Cast

Male Cast

The Band

Jonathan Smith, Lyrics

Dominic Hartley, Music

RITA  AKANDE - BERNADETTE

Rita Akande has a promising future in musical theatre after demonstrating her superb talents as Bernadette in “The Vision”.  Her main attribute is a rare combination of superb, ptich perfect, vocal strength together with a mildness of character the part demands.

She is a member of the Laz Ekwueme Chorale and was the narrator in the Playhouse Initiative’s Joseph. She is currently a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Vision has recently been performed in Lagos Nigeria to packed audiences with rave reviews.

Directed by William Ekpo, the musical is given a vibrant African makeover with both insight and flair.  While the characterisation remains true to Jonathan Smith’s original Libretto, there are touching additions that make this show truly unique.  In particular the second act is given a more reflective and poignant treatment than in previous productions.

The musical was performed in front of His Eminence, the Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie.  He remarked on the superb singing - orchestrated by Musical Director Ben Ogbeiwi.

Ben’s involvement in Vision project has been immense. Earlier in the year he travelled to London to spend time working on the project with Dominic Hartley.  This ground-work clearly paid off as his adaptation has taken the vocal harmonisation, gospel singing and orchestration to a new level.

A full review will is coming soon.

Over the May weekend over a thousand people came to the Muson Cnetre, in the centre of Lagos,  to see just why VISION is becoming a cross-continent phenomenon .  

The command performance took place on Saturday night

In the presence of The Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie.  He specifically commented on the incredible singing - orchestrated by Musical Director Ben Ogbeiwi.   

A more detailed review will be coming soon.