Week of love: Theatre gets in the mood

 

Art and love have always been intertwined. Art making in itself is an act of love, with artists putting their souls into it and baring it all out to the public.

Painting, books, plays, songs, poems, films, and every other art form have beautifully conveyed the theme of love, captivating audiences. And this Valentine's week, theatre halls have been full of action.

The essence of love was captured in a comedy play ‘Threads of Trust’ by Igiza Arts Production staged at the Kenya National Theatre last weekend.

With just a month to their wedding, Maia (played by Milkah Wangui) casts speculations of infidelity on Adam (played by Sam Ouma) after she finds messages on his phone. This hilarious play was written and directed by Martin Abuya and produced by Wreiner Mandu. The P.A.L Mombasa is hosting a poetry concept show titled ‘Coffee & Cuddles: The Six Triple Eight Edition’ at Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa tomorrow.

One of the performers, poet Oliver Mwakio Maganga (stage name Cardiac Poet), shares that the event will blend other forms of art like music and dance.

READ: Love in a time of hardship: How Kenyans have planned their Valentine's Day

The show was influenced by the 2024 film ‘The Six Triple Eight’ by Tyler Perry. The movie is about how a failed mailing system during the Second World War had many people not receive their letters. While the female soldiers helped to deliver the mail, some people did not receive theirs.

Another Valentine’s Day treat was Victor Gakonye- directed stage play, ‘Cards on the Table’, starring Mufasa Kibet (Mufasa the Poet), Shirleen Wangari, and Nyakundi Isaboke, with a special appearance from songbird Bridget Blue.

Staged at Braeburn Theatre, Gitanga Road, Nairobi, the play follows the lives of a former couple that team up to rob the gate collections at a Valentine’s event.   

A romance play, ‘The Anatomy of Us’ was at the Harambee Hall, Kenyatta University, was another this past week.

Written and produced by Wayne Mbudi from A House of Mbudisms Production, the play explores the lives of a couple, Matt (played by Charles Gachanja) and Sylvia (played by Precious Apidi) who navigate the different aspects of their relationship.

There was also emotionally charged poetry and spoken word performances that celebrate poetry and love at ‘Red Party’ at Alliance Francaise Multimedia Library.

This was accompanied by a poetry book launch, ‘When Love Says Goodbye’ by author and poet Scholastica Moraa published by Mvua Press.

“I want to show the world that it is fine to be vulnerable when you are in love through my performance. It is also fine to feel all those difficult feelings like doubt, frustration, and exasperation that more often than not accompany love,” said Scholastica.  

ALSO READ: Love is an act, and I've seen enough to gladden the heart this Valentine

Andu A Mumbi Production, a theatre company known for its funny Gikuyu comedy plays, is presenting ‘Rikia Ume’ (translated to ‘Finish and Go’) at Ukumbi Mdogo in Kenya National Theatre ths weekend, ending Sunday. Written and directed by Njomo wa Nyathira and produced by Wangui wa Ngina, the play narrates the story of Muchiri (played by Maina Damberi) who wins Sh3 million and walks away from his family to squander the money with his brother, Gikonyo (played by Eric Chege). When his pockets run empty, Muchiri comes back to his family to seek forgiveness.           

‘Roses are Dread’ by Teren Teren Production and Falk showcased two short films and a play at KCA University. 

The University of Nairobi Travelling Theatre performed a play, ‘The Before’.

Dance Centre Kenya is entertaining people with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the Kenya National Theatre, up to today, Sunday. It is a ballet performance starring Keri Yamane from Brussels International Ballet and Edwin Ochieng from the University of North Carolina School for the Arts.

And Eldoret-based 64 Theatre and Fireside Players Ensemble staged a play, ‘Risky Affair’ at Moi University's main campus.