Kenya's theatre scene has been buzzing in recent months, with several highly anticipated plays taking to the stage. One of the most notable productions is 'I Will Marry When I Want', a play written by Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Ngugi wa Mirii, which comes to an end today at the Kenya National Theatre.
Initially planned for 2020, the play's staging was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the Nairobi Performing Arts Studio to put rehearsals on hold. Director Nash Stuart recalled the challenges faced by the team: 'By the time the pandemic struck, rehearsals were on, and we had to put everything on hold.'
The play, which has been performed in both English and Kikuyu, has been a huge success, with special performances for schools at a reduced ticket price. The reception has been incredible, with director Nash Stuart attributing it to the play's accessibility: 'The reason we have a lot of students coming in is because plays are written to be seen.'
The play features an impressive cast of big names, including Nice Githinji, Mwaura Bilal, Martin Githinji, Angel Waruinge, and Martin Kigondu, among others. The production has also received a nod from Ngugi wa Thiong'o himself, which the cast and crew are in awe of.
With the play coming to an end, the theatre scene is set to continue its busy schedule, with several other productions lined up for the coming weeks. These include 'The Dying Need No Shoes', which wrapped up its six-day run at the Kenya National Theatre last week, and 'Who is Your Mother', a rib-cracking comedy set to take the stage at the Alliance Francaise, Nairobi this week.
