HEAPS OF
THEATRE THIS WEEKEND
By
Margaretta wa Gacheru (3 April 2018)
Tonight, Nairobi is about to witness the premiere of two new theatrical productions, one a musical, the other a straight play. They’ll be staged by two brand new theatre troupes which are about to prove it’s not only Kenyan filmmakers who are enlivening the cultural scene; thespians are doing it too.
At Kenya
National Theatre, Regina Caeli Arts will present a new musical production of
‘Viper in my Nest’ starring Lwanda Jawar. It runs from tonight from 6pm through
Sunday. I gather they’re a Christian theatre company so it’s likely to be a
musical version of a morality play.
Meanwhile, at Michael Joseph Centre, Mbeki Mwalimu directs her new theatre company, Back to Basics in a brand new script written by the multi-talented Justin Mirichii, based on a concept that Mbeki conceived.
Meanwhile, at Michael Joseph Centre, Mbeki Mwalimu directs her new theatre company, Back to Basics in a brand new script written by the multi-talented Justin Mirichii, based on a concept that Mbeki conceived.
‘Strangers
by Blood’ costars Nick Ndeda, Bilal Mwaura, Gilbert Lukalia, Mary Mwikali and
Alison Nyawira.
Then once
Nick and Bilal complete their run at MJC, they’ll head over to Kenya National
Theatre the following Wednesday where they’ll be back with Martin Kigondu to
restage his play ‘What Happens in the Night’. They’ll be acting with Shivishe
Shivisi, Salim Gitau and Marianne Nungo (who costarred as Jo’s Mum in Likarion
Wainaina’s award winning film ‘Supa Modo’).
This time
round, Prevail Arts Company is teaming up with Tash Mitambo’s Renegade Ventures
to produce Martin’s original script. The two groups are collaborating in
support not just for the show, but also to raise funds for their friend Jahmby
Koikai who’s had to go for surgery due to a serious bout with endometriosis. We
wish her well. Martin and Tash will donate half the proceeds from their one
night performance to help with Jahmby’s hospital bills. These thespians’
philanthropy on behalf of their fellow creative should spur the rest of us on
to attend the production.
Meanwhile,
Tash will be busy this weekend staging the Kikuyu version of John Sibi Okumu’s ‘Minister
Karibu’ at the Kenya National Theatre annex. Tash also directed the English
version of Sibi’s play so he clearly values the script and probably knows
Kikuyu-speakers will also appreciate it. The fake minister will be played by
Vehum Nderitu.
Meanwhile,
Heartstrings opened last night in ‘Hit and Run’ at Alliance Francaise. The
comedy will run through Sunday evening.
Finally, Zippy Okoth restages her solo production, ‘Stranger in my Bed: from the Diary of a Divorced Woman’ next Friday and Saturday at PAWA254.
Finally, Zippy Okoth restages her solo production, ‘Stranger in my Bed: from the Diary of a Divorced Woman’ next Friday and Saturday at PAWA254.
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