Nairobi Performing Arts Studio (NPAS) are back with yet another French adaptation, following in tradition to the hugely successful Sirano wa Begeraki, an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac and 2022’s Mstinji – The Miser from Molière’s work, under a program fully funded by Alliance Francaise to showcase French classics to the Kenyan audience.
While Sirano tackled matters of the heart, Antigone, an adaptation of Jean Anouilh’s wartime tragedy by the same name, takes a more political route.
Eight decades later, NPAS moves the play to present-day Kenya where Antigone (Lorna Lemi), daughter of former and deceased president Idipo, is on a mission to bury her brother against the orders of current President, Koron (Wakio Mzenge).
Since she is also Antigone’s godmother, Koron is in a dilemma after news breaks out that Antigone was after the body and by law set by her, Antigone should die. She tries to reason with her since a marriage between her and her son, Herman (Gadwill Odhiambo) is already set, one bound by true love. 
But Antigone doesn’t back down and, with no other tools left to convince her otherwise, Koron orders her execution. As Antigone is being executed, a cruel twist of fate throws a series of tragic events that hit Koron’s family and quickly isolate her. She is forced to become stoic, shaking off the tragedy in an attempt to attend to her civil duties.
From Andrew Muthure’s narrations to Cosmas Kirui’s comedic charm, Antigone is helmed by remarkable performances. A standout being Lorna Lemi’s embodiment of the titular character, her fallings-out with Wakio Mzenge’s, Koron, especially in stark contrast to her camaraderie with Gad Odhiambo’s Herman. All these backed up by a Kenyanised, well fleshed-out, character-driven script. 
A breakdown the characters and their motivations in the beginning of the play gave up much of the plot, mellowing down the tension and suspense.
Build your profile as a creative and elevate your brand via https://talents.sanaapost.com/
For masterclasses on Arts from the best in the creative industry visit https://academy.sanaapost.com/
Edited by Peter Ndoria
Photos by Faceofart_
