This archive report was first published on 2 January 2020.
As the curtains draw on 2019, the Kenyan theatre scene is already buzzing with excitement for the year ahead. With a slew of new productions in the pipeline, theatre enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying year of performances.
At the forefront of this creative explosion is Walter Sitati, who is set to stage Wangari Maathai the Musical sometime this year. This highly anticipated production is just one of several new works that Sitati has in the works, making his pipeline full of fresh and exciting content.
Meanwhile, Heartstrings Entertainment is gearing up to bring its new comedy, Good for Nothing, to the stage at Alliance Francaise from February 6-9. This marks a welcome return to the venue for fans, who will be happy to leave behind the confines of Nairobi Cinema, where Sammy Mwangi staged all his shows last year.
The NBO Musical Theatre Initiative is also making waves with its plans to stage 11 fresh new musicals in 2020. The first four productions are set to be showcased at the Kampala International Theatre Festival in December, and include Pani Puri, Apostle Dennis, Kabaseke, and Weaver Bird. The latter tells the story of Mau Mau Field Marshall Muthoni Kirima, who was the only woman to achieve that rank in the Land and Freedom Army.
Other notable productions in the works include Mbeki Mwalimu and Back to Basics' show in March, as well as new scripts from Bilal Mwaura, Peter Tosh, Seth Busolo, Martin Kigondu, Justin Mirichii, and Joseph Murungu. The Nairobi Performing Arts Studio is also planning a countrywide search for someone to play Michael Jackson in the musical Michael.
