Titus Pop

On a visit to London, I had the opportunity to attend the inspiring musical show entitled “Get Up Stand Up-The Bob Marley Musical”. As one of my lesson plans due to be included in the digital manual on Civic Education is based on the power of Reggae music in inspiring freedom, I thought it would be a good opportunity  to share my first impressions on this musical.

As I was making my way from Leicester Square towards the Lyric theatre in the West End, I noticed here and there some people wearing Jamaican flag jerseys heading towards where I was going. At the same time, I overheard some Creole English words and expressions I understood such as “dem tiichas” or “mi soon come” and I realized I was about to attend an authentic show surrounded by a diverse audience. Ten minutes before the beginning of the musical, the theatre was packed with people who started to dance while tapping slowly some kind of reggae rhythm. While the show was a journey into the world of Bob Marley’s life and music, what struck me was the way all songs played were sung along by the packed Lyric theatre in a frantic display of joy and dance. The musical numbers, from “No woman, No Cry” to the  “Redemption Song” drove the whole narrative of the show towards an apotheotic rendition of ”One Love” by a loud and joyous audience. Since then, whenever I hear a song by Bob Marley on the radio, I always thing of one word: ”freedom”.