The Cardinal

The Cardinal is a Broadway-style Highlife musical celebrating the vibrant spirit of Port Harcourt and the golden era of Niger Delta Highlife music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Created and directed by Yibo Koko, this powerful stage production pays tribute to the unforgettable musical genius of Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, while also honouring legendary icons such as Prince David Bull & His Professional Seagulls Dance Band, Joe Nez, Boma Bonnie, Ben Jack, Fubara Sekibo, King Sunny Brown, Easy Kabaka Brown, Jerry Demua, Chief Inyang Henshaw, and many more. With rich music, colourful dance, dramatic storytelling, and breathtaking performances, The Cardinal brings the soul of Highlife back to the stage, celebrating culture, legacy, rhythm, and the city whose spirit is waiting to be reignited.