Filmmaker Yibo Koko has secured dates for the stage performance of his musical The Cardinal at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The production will run from July 16 to 19, in collaboration with Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, owned by theatre producer Bolanle Austen Peters.
Koko shared the news on Facebook on Monday, posting a photo of himself with Austen-Peters and writing: “We are delighted to share that after a very productive meeting with the Management of Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, we have officially secured 16th – 19th July 2026 for the stage performance of our Broadway-style musical, The Cardinal. This landmark production will be presented in collaboration with the renowned Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions.
“The Cardinal is more than a musical, it is a cultural journey into the soul of Port Harcourt in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when the city pulsed with the rich, intoxicating rhythms of Highlife. It was an era defined by live bands, vibrant night scenes, and the rise of legendary music icons whose sounds shaped identity, celebration, and social life.
“From the golden horns and lilting guitars that echoed through clubs and social halls, to the unforgettable presence of Highlife greats like, Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, Prince David Bull and The Professional Seagulls Band, Eazy Kabaka Brown, Joe Nez, Boma Bonnie, Chief Inyang Henshaw etc, Port Harcourt stood tall as a melting pot of rhythm, culture, and creativity. Music was not just entertainment, it was storytelling, memory, and community.
“The Cardinal captures that spirit: the ambition, the struggle, the love, the humor, and the determination of a generation that found its voice through music and dance.
“As we begin preparations and rehearsals in the months ahead, we look forward to bringing this powerful story to life on one of Nigeria’s most prestigious stages, a spectacular celebration of heritage, Highlife, and the enduring creative energy of our people.”
Terra Kulture, owned by Austen-Peters, is known for hosting stage plays, musicals, and cultural events in Lagos. Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions has previously staged works such as Saro the Musical and Wakaa the Musical, both of which celebrated African history and music.
Highlife music became a defining sound in Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s, with Port Harcourt emerging as a key hub. Musicians such as Rex Lawson and other bands mentioned by Koko helped shape the genre, blending indigenous rhythms with brass and guitar melodies.
Rehearsals for The Cardinal are expected to begin in the coming months, marking another major collaboration that brings Nigerian music and cultural history to the stage.
