Kiundu Waweru

Kate comes from a rich family. She gets married to Timothy and fixes him a job working at her father’s farm. She lords over him with an iron hand by controlling where he goes, with who and to do what. At no time is Timothy alone with the housegirl.

To achieve this, she carries the house key and ensures she is the last to leave in the morning and the first to arrive. Timothy knows his hour to be home.

But Timothy has an eye for Susan, the housegirl. Before long, he devises a plan. A clandestine love affair between man and servant blossoms. Can the wife find out?

Enter Kate’s mother. She comes visiting, with all the in-laws drama. She sprains her ankle that sees her stay at the home while both Kate and Timothy are expecting that she will be away. Timothy sneaks back home to be with Susan.

Chiku Mburu and Derrick Amunga rehearsing at Alliance Francaise for the comedy Its Now or Never. PHOTO: KIUNDU WAWERU/STANDARD]

As if reading from the same script, Kate also returns home early and surprise, surprise, she too has a mpango wa kando (clandestine lover) called Willie.

BEDROOM FARCE

Well, this is not real life, but it might as well be. It is play by Festival of Creative Arts. Last year, FCA brought you classic British comedies like No Dinner for Sinners and When the Cat is Away. This time they conceptualised their own Kenyan bedroom farce.

"Our fans have been demanding that we stage a Kenyan play. We conceptualised this It’s Now or Never," says Caroline Odongo, the director of the play.

Odongo adds that the play reflects what happens in society, with talk of men having affairs with housegirls. The play also highlights the fact that even women are also cheating and the cast is hoping to condemn this vice. Friday Entertainment caught up with them at the Alliance Francaise while rehearsing.

They were having a good if not rough time as Odongo had asked them to act in Kiswahili just so as to fully familiarise with their characters. It seems Kiswahili is a tough language, more so as it have been corrupted by sheng.

The seasoned actors and actresses made a few mistakes, but that was the point. Mbeki Mwalimu, who plays Kate said, "I now feel I know my character much better."

Timothy, Kate’s husband is played by Juma Williams, while Veronicah Waceke is the house girl. Derrick Amunga is Kate’s clandestine lover, while Nice Githinji makes an appearance as Kate’s friend.

The play runs from today (Friday) 3pm at the Alliance Francaise until Sunday. It’s now or never to enjoy a Kenyan comedy.