About Lafup
'Segun Ogundipe
Oluwasegun Ogundipe, known professionally as LAFUP, is an award-winning Nigerian theatre maker, actor, and cultural MC now based in Manchester. A recipient of the 2024 UK Global Talent visa, he brings over a decade of experience spanning Lagos and the UK, specializing in African storytelling that bridges cultures and builds communities through innovative performance. Since 2010, Segun has pioneered his groundbreaking "Backpack Theatre" methodology – an approach where entire productions are ingeniously contained within two backpacks, enabling intimate, powerful, and resource-conscious theatrical experiences that defy traditional venue limitations and reach audiences across three continents.
Segun's profound theatrical foundation was built through extensive educational theatre in Nigeria, where he created and produced touring productions of canonical African works like The Lion and the Jewel and Sizwe Bansi is Dead, engaging students directly through participatory performance. Trained by African theatre luminary Femi Osofisan, his work draws deeply from these traditions while speaking to contemporary global experiences. His flagship production, ÌLÓYÁ (THE JOURNEY BEGINS), a deeply personal exploration of African identity and diaspora experience, exemplifies his innovative approach. Designed for intimate spaces, this acclaimed show has toured extensively across the UK and internationally, consistently receiving praise for its authentic storytelling and innovative staging. His recent theatre credits include performances in Death and the King's Horseman and various collaborative projects with emerging UK companies focused on African narratives.
Beyond stage productions, Segun is one of the UK's most sought-after cultural MCs, a 5-star rated host who has helmed over 150 events across 15+ international cities, specializing in Nigerian/African celebrations and multicultural events. His stand-up comedy background informs all his work, providing the accessibility and warmth crucial for engaging diverse audiences and facilitating meaningful cultural conversations. This blend of artistry extends to his community engagement, spearheading projects like 'Comedy for Change' in Nigeria (2018-2020) and leading workshops for diaspora communities in the UK. Segun's commitment to arts education and mentorship for emerging African artists underscores his belief in theatre's power to heal, connect, and preserve heritage, exemplifying his philosophy: "In every performance, I carry not just my own story, but the stories of those who came before and those who will come after. That's the true weight of the backpack—and the true responsibility of the artist."
Selected Theatre Credits: Recent UK Work: Death and The King's Horseman (Utopia Theatre/Sheffield Crucible, 2025); Ìlọ́yá (Lafup Theatre Studio/Theatre Observatory Cape Town/Utopia Theatre).
International & Nigerian Theatre: Lion and the Jewel (Lafup Theatre Studios); Many Colours Makes a Thunder King (Centerstage Theatre); King Baabu (University of Ibadan Theatre); Kongi's Harvest (Art Council, Abuja); Sizwe Bansi is Dead (Lafup Theatre/Terra Kulture); Makbuthu (University of Ibadan, Wole Soyinka Theatre); The Jero Plays, Prison Chronicles, Who is Afraid of Soyinka (Renegade Theatre, Terra Kulture); The Engagement (Centerstage Theatre); Midnight Blackout (Muson Center); Toy Soldier Boy Soldier (Commonwealth Culture Exchange, Nigeria); Beatification of the Area Boy (Onikoyi Theatre, Nigeria); Yemoja (Heritage Theatre, Efua Sutherland Studio, Ghana); Elegua (Lafup Theatre Studios/Wole Soyinka Theatre).
