This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On a Zoom call from the UK, Nyokabi Macharia directed a talented trio of Kenyan actresses in a bold adaptation of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', with a twist: the lead roles were played by women.
Published on August 7, 2020, the production, titled 'The Book and its Cover', features Auudi Rowa as Dr. Frankenstein and Akinyi Oluoch as the Monster. The show premiered on YouTube, with the director, Nyokabi, performing in the UK with a theatre company.
The story follows Dr. Frankenstein's creation, the Monster, who seeks a companion and demands that Victoria, the scientist, create a 'perfect man' for her. The show's Act 1 ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the audience eager for more.
Despite the challenges of directing a show remotely, Nyokabi's vision and the actresses' passion shine through in the performance. The physical fight scene between the two women is 'brilliantly brutal', and the emotional depth of the characters is palpable.
The show's success relies on finding a producer who can provide financial and professional support. Until then, the audience will have to wait for Act 2 of this explosively alluring story.
