From Skits To Distinction: How Mr Macaroni Conquered London While Losing Big Money In Lagos

Nigerian comedian and actor Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has moved from viral skits to academic distinction after completing a Master of Arts degree in Performance (Acting) from the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

The entertainer, who already held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from a university in Nigeria, said the master’s programme was something he had always considered, but work prevented him from pursuing it immediately after his first degree.

After years of building a career in comedy, film and content creation, he said he reached a point where he needed to refresh his craft and discover what was new and different in performance beyond what he had been practising in Nigeria.

He explained that the decision to enrol at Mountview was driven by a desire for advanced actor training, specifically in performance, to deepen his understanding of acting and expand his creative range.

The London programme required him to shuttle constantly between Lagos and London, as he continued to return to Nigeria to film and create content before travelling back to complete his training.

The Price of Going Back to School

Mr Macaroni said the journey came with clear financial and professional sacrifices, as staying in London for his studies meant he could not be fully available for jobs in Nigeria.

He disclosed that there were jobs and gigs he missed while he was away, jobs that would have brought in good money if he had been in Lagos at the time.

While his earnings dropped because he was not taking on as much work as before, his expenses increased because he was living in London and paying for the course.

He described the period as a difficult balance between spending more and earning less, while trying to manage responsibilities in two cities at the same time.

Mr Macaroni admitted that the Lagos to London life sometimes became overwhelming, but said the experience taught him to keep finding ways to navigate challenges and continue moving forward.

What London Gave Him Back

For his dissertation, he explored the use of Theatre of the Oppressed alongside Afrocentric performance techniques to provide audiences with solutions for resisting sociopolitical oppression.

He said the choice of topic reflected his long-standing interest in using entertainment as a tool for social change, education and enlightenment.

According to him, the programme exposed him to new acting techniques and performance skills which he now intends to apply to his work in content creation, film, theatre and public engagement.

Mr Macaroni said finishing with distinction made the sacrifice worthwhile, and he expressed happiness and gratitude for completing the programme despite the many responsibilities he carried alongside his studies.