A harvest of musicals

By George Orido

An old man is speaking, inaudibly, to his wife at a market place.At the other end Mary and her friends are chitchatting, while Joseph and his friends are catching up in the workshop at the far corner.

Mary brings him a glass of juice and snacks, then leaves.

This is a scene from Christmas in Nairobi, a musical comedy by the Festival of Creative Arts. The comedy is a first for FCA, which is famous for British farces.

The musical premiered yesterday, and will screen for three days at the Kenya National Theatre.

It adds to the rich repertoire of musicals this festive season. Mo Faya by Eric Wainaina, has been on at the Godown Arts Centre for a fortnight and still running.

The German School will premier yet another musical at a church in Tigoni, Nairobi. And scores of churches are rehearsing nativity stories, all to be performed as musicals.

The school last held a spring concert at its auditorium in a colourful tone graced by the German Community Choir.

Christmas in Nairobi is set in the city and posits some philosophical questions: Were Christ to be born in Nairobi today, would the city council askaris be harassing hawkers and wananchi? How about if the shepherds were club-wielding Maasai but with the gift of dancing, and the wise men were teenage computer geeks with special interest in astrology?

New version Christmas

The FCA cast brings hyped-up 21st century version of the birth of Jesus Christ in a rendition of hip-hop, carols, reggae, benga and Kenyan cultural rhythms.

The choreography, a hybrid of cultural and contemporary formations, is directed by Andrew Muthure and Mbeki Mwalimu.

"This is more than the usual Christmas story. It is guaranteed to blow you away," says Eliud Abuto, the show producer.

The comedy presents a talented cast comprising Fadhili Itulya, Paul Mbuthia, Margaret Karanja, Shem Odhiambo and Derrick Amunga.

Others are Njeri Kairu, Jane Wanjiru and Rayana Githae.

Based on a sketchy plot and the riches of biblical text, the team has applied a rich mix of improvisation and devising.

"The dancers have a shock for you, so do the singers and band members," says Abuto.

Why Christmas in Nairobi?

Mwalimu, one of the directors, says the Christmas story has been told many times without making it relevant or drawing parallels for Kenyans.

"Christmas in Nairobi attempts to address the issues that Kenyans would be experiencing were Christ to be born in Kenya. The Messiah liberates us from the sufferings experienced by most Kenyans. Issues of corruption and harassment by city council askaris are of concern," says Mwalimu.

Versatile company

The keyboard player, Shadrack Mutua, is internationally acclaimed and plays for Reverend TD Jakes, a popular US-based preacher.

The production also features a choreographer (Nehema Bagamuhunda) and a voice director/musical direction (Collo Bondo).

So were there any serious challenges putting together the musical?

"Festival of Creative Arts boasts a highly talented and versatile company. It was not difficult to assemble talented musicians and players in the group and challenge them to play roles in the musical," says Abuto.

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