By George Orido
The annual National Schools and Colleges Drama Festivals are set to begin at Lenana High School, Nairobi, today with Milimani Primary hitting the stage at 8am.
The venue was yesterday abuzz with activities as teams from all over the country arrived.
The host school, Lenana, had earlier rehearsed their play ‘Faceless Face’, which interrogates family relationships especially parenting. Written by Mr Michael Mwangi, the play features a politician, Jack and his dilemma of taking care of two teenage sons.
Nairobi Province Drama Committee Vice Chairman Benard Nyanye said city schools will give a good account of themselves. "We are hosting and with an intention to win as many trophies as possible,’ said the chairman, who also teaches at Multi-Media University of Science and Technology.
Faith Natalie from Musa Gitau Primary School, Kiambu hoped for an exciting and fun filled experience.
Opening ceremony
"I look forward to meet children and make friends with people from different parts of the country," said Musa, a Class Seven pupil acting in the choral verse Visiki Vya Kubuli.
Silvia Wanjiku, from Lions Primary hopes to outshine all her peers and clinch the coveted Best Actress title.
Inaugural mime, ‘Msukosuko’, in the festival history will be performed by Gede Special School from Coast.
At the Bomas of Kenya, Tangaza College from Nairobi will open the festival with their narrative, Osiato.
Also lined up for performance are Mt Kenya University with a play, Harlot of Babylon; Marist University with a narrative, For Sale; Kisii University College with a play, the Professor; and Mombasa Polytechnic University College with a dance Bulala.
Last year Mombasa Polytechnic missed the Nationals in Kisumu following closure of the institution after student unrest.
The Nairobi PC will be the chief guest during the opening ceremony at Lenana School.
Also expected to attend is Mumias Sugar CEO Evans Kidero, Director Quality Assurance and Standards in the Ministry of Education Evans Oyaya, principals and teachers.
Today diary will begin with St Joseph’s Primary from Coast presenting a dance, Highlands Primary School from Rift Valley, a solo verse and Manyatta Primary School from Nyanza a dance.
Bonanza School from Eastern will also present a play while Loreto Msongari from Nairobi, a narrative.
From Central, Kabare Girls’ Boarding will present a narrative, Mombasa Polytechnic a dance, Kenyatta University a narrative and Coast Gede Special School a mime.
The festival will culminate into a family Gala Show in what is dubbed the "Winners Concert", and thereafter proceed to perform before the President at State House in Nairobi.
