An uplifting story of love, courage and letting go - filled with original songs and classic Jamaican folktales!
Grandad is as smart and mischievous as the wily spider Anansi, but can he find a way to tell his granddaughter about his plans to return to his beloved homeland in the Caribbean? Set in a beautiful garden and filled with original songs and classic Jamaican folktales, Grandad Anansi is an uplifting story of love, courage and letting go.
Written by award-winning children’s author Elayne Ogbeta, the original production of Grandad Anansi was directed by Christopher Yarnell and produced by Half Moon and Z-arts. Original set, props and costume are provided by Half Moon and Z-arts. Music composed and recorded by Tayo Akinbode. Set and Costume Designer Sorcha Corcoran.
Grandad Anansi tours to school across Suffolk in 2026 – please contact creativecommunities@wosleytheatre.co.uk to arrange a school booking.
The show run also features two performances in NW2, the gold-roofed building opposite the main New Wolsey Theatre building, on Sat 9 May!
Written by Elayne Ogbeta
Music composed and recorded by Tayo Akinbode
Set and costume designed by Sorcha Corcoran
The original production of Grandad Anansi was directed by Christopher Yarnell and produced by Half Moon and Z-arts. Original set, props and costume are provided by Half Moon and Z-arts.
The Cast
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Jola Awosusi
Abi
Jola Awosusi
Abi
Jola is a versatile screen and stage actress with a love for music. She trained at East 15 Acting school, gaining her BA honours. She is constantly inspired by the stage and how she can bring her own interpretations and works to life!
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Segun Lawal
Grandad Anansi
Segun Lawal
Grandad Anansi
Dr. Segun Lawal is a distinguished arts manager and creative producer whose career spans over 27 years across four continents.
A 2008 Fellow of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and a 2021 Exceptional Global Talent endorsed by Arts Council England, Dr. Lawal has mentored and trained more than 3,000 artists, choreographers, directors, dancers, producers, and cultural managers in both screen and stage disciplines.
In 1997, he founded the Spirit of David dance club, focused on youth empowerment and performance art. A landmark achievement included producing two seasons of Africa’s most successful entertainment television show in 2007 and 2009, reaching a registered viewership of 30 million.
He served as the inaugural Vice Chair of the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria and currently holds a directorial role at Sixty-Ten Arts Management Consulting in the United Kingdom.
Passionate about design, storytelling and dance theatre, Dr. Lawal has scripted and performed in over 125 productions across 49 cities worldwide, consistently blending the unorthodox with cultural resonance.