Play on family issues come to the fore, by Eldoret Polytecthnic

Eldoret Polytechnic students Mercy Ndungu and Pamphilia Sinyele in their play Mchuzi Chungu by Paul Kisali. [PHOTO: GEORGE ORIDO/STANDARD]

By GEORGE ORIDO

A wedding is planned for two, and then on the wedding day as guests file in their best of attire, someone raises a red flag. Pendo and Konde cannot go on with their much-anticipated nuptial plans because there is a history!

It so happens that when Konde’s father, Manundu was working as a houseboy for the family of Mzee Bakari and his wife Bi Farida, he had some secret conjugal knowledge of the latter. The result was the conception of Pendo – a well kept secret until today.

Well, according to Bi Farida she had no option and she wanted to keep the honour of her husband who was barren. Written and directed by Paul Kisali the play performed by Eldoret Polytechnic was affirmative that society has no room for incest and that, young lovebirds need to investigate further their origins before making commitments to each other.

It also tries to explain in small but significant way why certain levels of cheating happen in families. Actors Collins Owuor, Pamphilia Senyele, Albert Nyang’ori, Dorothy Rutto, Smith Walter, and Hellen Okeno are a great act with captivating symbolism like those of birth and copulation worth a family audience.

What’s more it is one of the very few plays in the entire festival that is devoid of weapons such as guns, knives, machetes and the like.

Kabarak University made a triumphant entry into the festival with seasoned director and playwright coming to the festival after a three-year break.

Their play Temptations depicts a deadly conflict among clergy that threatens to tear their faithful apart.

After a bitter war they come to realise that it was coming to naught and take a conciliatory path that see them come back with renewed vigour and sense of responsibility and belonging.

Competitive stage

Directed by Peninah Adhiambo, Lions High School impressed with their French solo verse A Travers le Pont that advocates for the rights of the child as enshrined in the Constitution.

Driving home the message of children’s rights was Leunida Audrey from Owiro Akoko who presented a moving solo verse The Butterfly that depicted a growing girl who is abused by the people most trusted to protect her.

“Why me, why did you pluck my pearl without permission, pounding pestle and not listening to my cries? asks the persona.

Audrey was articulate and confident, and having internalised her character, some members of the audience haters rolling down their cheeks as she performed. “The quality of productions this year have been set so high especially in scriptwriting and production devoid of razzmatazz,” observed Micheal Ahendera, a teacher and commentator at the festival.

The competitive stage of the festival ends today with children in kindergarten having their day on stage at the Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls School, some 18 kilometre away from Kagumo Teachers College where secondary schools and universities are performing.

Tomorrow the gala showcasing some of the best presentations in the festival will show at Kagumo, with the closing ceremony to be presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi on Tuesday.