Queen Idia musical takes shape in Cambridge on 9 September
Queen Idia the Musical — The Concert Sharing will be presented at Cambridge’s C3 Centre on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, from 6pm to 9pm. The Visit Cambridge Events listing does not state a ticket price or provide booking instructions, so prospective visitors should check the source page for updates before attending.
The event is likely to be of particular interest to audiences following new musical theatre, African history or work combining Afrobeats, spoken-word poetry and choral music. It is a work-in-progress presentation, giving Cambridge audiences an early look at material being developed for a full production planned for 2027.
What audiences will see and hear
The concert sharing will feature newly developed music, scenes and storytelling as the creative team continues to shape the Nigerian-British musical. It follows work-in-progress performances in Cambridge, Peterborough and London during 2025.
This distinction matters for anyone deciding whether to attend: the September event is not being presented as the finished stage production. Its focus is the development process, with a concert format combining music, dramatic scenes and spoken-word storytelling. Audience members will therefore encounter the project at an intermediate stage, before the planned 2027 production.
Queen Idia’s story and the bronze mask
The musical is inspired by Queen Idia, described in the event listing as a warrior queen, strategist, diplomat and mother in the 16th-century Benin Kingdom, in present-day Nigeria. Its narrative places her in a world of royal courts, political intrigue, prophecy, love, war and sacrifice, centring on her determination to protect her son and preserve her kingdom.
Her story is also connected to the internationally recognised bronze mask associated with Queen Idia. According to the listing, the mask became the symbol of FESTAC ’77 and appears on Nigerian passports. The original remains in the British Museum after being taken during the British invasion of Benin in 1897. The musical shifts attention from the famous object to the woman represented by it.
The project has received Arts Council funding and support from University of Cambridge Public Engagement, the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, the Centre of African Studies, the University of Cambridge Library, Landmark Theatres, Key Theatre Peterborough and the National Theatre of Nigeria, alongside other artistic partners.
Venue, access and details to check
The event runs from 6pm to 9pm at the C3 Centre, 2 Brooks Road, Cambridge, CB1 3HR. The venue information lists disabled accessibility, mostly flat terrain and wheelchair access.
The supplied Visit Cambridge Events listing does not name the performers or organiser, and it provides no ticket price, booking process or transport guidance. Visitors should consult the original event listing for any later booking or practical updates before travelling.
Source: Visit Cambridge Events
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The preview uses the published event date, venue, programme description and accessibility information while clearly identifying details not supplied.
- Confirmed the event date and scheduled time as 9 September 2026, from 6pm to 9pm.
- Confirmed the venue as the C3 Centre at 2 Brooks Road, Cambridge.
- Checked the listing for price and booking information; neither was provided.
- Retained only the accessibility features stated in the event listing.
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- Visit Cambridge Events
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- Cambridge
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- 2026-09-09 13:03
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