When you put a gifted director in a play written by one of our foremost playwrights, then intersperse it all with some of the most artistic actors in its cast, it can only promise to be a profound performance.
I am seated at the far-right corner of the rehearsal room at Alliance Française and can’t help but cast my mind back to the tonic experiences I’ve had watching shows by Prevail Presents. It’s a hot afternoon and I have the privilege to have a sit-down with the director and some of the cast of their upcoming show, Meetings.
Renowned theatre director, performer and playwright, Martin Kigondu, spares a moment after the cast briefing to have a chat, delving into his latest role as both director and producer.
Meetings is about the need for national healing and inter-generational trauma that we never really got to talk about, all these stories that every family has that we never engage with,”He tells me
Meetings also delves in on some of the heated eras in the political landscape that left scars on many families in the nation and the effects that follow.
Following the post-election violence, we’ve never really got to address how we felt as a country, harmoniously,”Steve Gitau, who plays ‘Zeke’ in Meetings says
The play is written by revered thespian and playwright, John Sibi Okumu and Kigondu describes directing another one of JSO’s work as “an absolute honour”. The two have previously worked together, with Kigondu directing one of JSO’s plays in 2017 and also starring in his 2019 play titled Kaggia.
Known for her enigmatic presence on stage, Marianne Nungo gives insight to her latest character, Gran, referring to her as the family matriarch, a unifier and leader.
The cast of the play also includes Ben Tekee as Meshack, Red Brenda as Faoulata, Hanna Wangari as Esther, Emmanuel Mulili as Julius and Gibson Ndaiga as Augustus
Meetings is a coming together to make amends, a show centred around family and healing.
It is what it takes for a family to stand as one,”Cosmas Kirui who plays the role of ‘Samora’, says in parting.
The star-studded cast and crew promise a mark of quality in Meetings, to be staged at Alliance Française from tomorrow Friday 18 through to Sunday, August 20.
Nyakua Tikiti Yako SASA HIVI via M-Pesa Till Number 8670210 or at http://www.kenyabuzz.com
Tupatane Kikao
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