Kirikou and Karaba

***Kirikou and Karaba*** is a musical created in 2007. It is based on the animated movie _Kirikou and the Sorceress_ by Michel Ocelot.

## Background

After the success of the animated film _Kirikou and the Sorceress_ in 1998, and its sequel _Kirikou and the Wild Beasts_ in 2005, producer Victor Bosch (_Notre-Dame de Paris_) had the idea to create a musical adaptation. The project began before the release of _Kirikou and the Wild Beasts_, at least as early as 2004, among other ideas considered around Kirikou.

Adapting an animated film into a musical with live actors was not new, as it had already been done with several Disney films, like _The Lion King_, which had been a lasting success on Broadway since 1997. Due to the success of Kirikou at that time, Victor Bosch had no trouble raising a budget of 4 million euros for the project.

Following the initiative of the director of Maison de la danse in Lyon, British choreographer Wayne McGregor was hired to create the show. The book and songs were written by the creator of Kirikou, Michel Ocelot. The music was composed by Christophe Minck, with participation from Rokia Traoré and Youssou N'Dour, who had already composed part of the original soundtracks for both animated movies. The sets and costumes were made by Peter McKintosh, and the lights were designed by Lucy Carter. Kirikou as a child is portrayed by a puppet operated by actor Legrand Bemba-Débert, who also voices the child hero and later plays adult Kirikou. The witch Karaba is played by Fatoumata Diawara.

## Creation

_Kirikou and Karaba_ premiered on September 11, 2007 at the Maison de la danse in Lyon. The musical then went on tour to several cities in France, including Paris, at the end of 2007 and during 2008. It was notably performed at the Casino de Paris from October 3 to December 31, 2007. A second tour was organized starting in May 2009, with new performances at the Palais des congrès de Paris, then across France. Between September 1, 2007 and May 1, 2009, the show welcomed 240000 spectators.

## Original soundtrack

The CD version was released with the launch of the musical in September 2007. It features the songs from the show, along with a few additional tracks.

1. Kirikou, The Child of the World - Angélique Kidjo & Tete
1. My Baby Will Come - Pookie
1. I Dan Soko - Oumou Sangaré & Rokia Traoré
1. Dance of the Fetishes - Compilation
1. The Water is Here - Compilation
1. Lullaby Kirikou - Compilation
1. I Am Progressing - Legrand Bemba-Debert
1. - Compilation
1. The Journey of Kirikou - Ali Boulo Santo
1. Sounds - Rokia Traoré
1. Dance of the Children - Compilation
1. Nagama Karaba - Boni Gnahoré & Fatoumata Diawara
1. I Was Made to Love - Oxmo Puccino & Youssou N'Dour
1. I Am Going to Adorn Your Body - Youssou N'Dour
1. - Compilation
1. Here is My Village - Fatoumata Diawara & Legrand Bemba-Debert
1. Liberation Percussions - Dom Farkas & Sly Johnson
1. Celebration - Compilation
1. Interlude Bambara - Ramses
1. Kirikou the Brave - Ali Boulo Santo & Mokobé

## Other websites

- Official website of Michel Ocelot
- Official website of the musical (archived on Archive.org)

## Infobox (musical)

- **color**: 2000
- **title**: Kirikou and Karaba
- **name**: Kirikou and Karaba
- **book**: Michel Ocelot
- **music**: Christophe Minck, Rokia Traoré, Youssou N'Dour
- **director**: Wayne McGregor
- **choreography**: Wayne McGregor
- **sets**: Peter McKintosh
- **costumes**: Peter McKintosh
- **lights**: Lucy Carter
- **producer**: Victor Bosch
- **premiere**: September 11, 2007
- **premiere location**: Maison de la danse, Lyon
- **language**: French
- **country**: tags until sections are filled -->