'Lwanda Otero' leads in Kenya Theatre Awards nominees, indigenous plays make waves

Stage production 'Lwanda Otero' by Chatterbox is the most nominated play with 12 nods (Photo: Kenya Theatre Awards/Instagram) Stage productions 'Lwanda Otero', 'Tom Mboya', 'Sanctuary', 'Daiverse', 'Scrooge', 'The Little Mermaid', and 'Legacy' lead the nominations for this year's Kenya Theatre Awards. 'Lwanda Otero' by Chatterbox is the most nominated play with 12 nods. It got Best Production, Best Musical Theatre Production, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role in a Musical (Alison Nyawira), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role (Agengo Ogone), Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Auudi Rowa), Best Adaptation, Best Costumes Design (Kevo Abbra), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Martin Kigondu), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Nyakundi Isaboke), Best Sound Design (Mike Mbugua), Best Musical Score, Arrangement, or Adaptation (Alice Kimanzi and Niqq Kerah), and Best Original Choreography in a Musical/Play. Another critically acclaimed historical play, 'Tom Mboya' by Too Early for Birds, earned seven nominations for Best Production, Best Producer (Gathoni Kimuyu), Best Director (Mugambi Nthiga), Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Monologue (Nyokabi Macharia), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue (Elsaphan Njora), Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue (Abu Sense), and Best Story-telling Production. 168 nominees were announced by the Kenya Theatre Awards jury under the Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust (KITFT) at the Kenya National Theatre (Photo: Kenya Theatre Awards) Theatre heavyweights Nyokabi Macharia ('Daiverse'), Mugambi Nthiga ('Tom Mboya'), Stuart Nash ('Scrooge'), Santa Mukabanah ('Sanctuary'), and Jazz Moll ('Albatross Wings of Freedom') are competing for Best Director. The 168 nominees were announced on Thursday by the Kenya Theatre Awards jury under the Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust (KITFT) at the Kenya National Theatre. The Kenya Theatre Awards Jury Chairperson, Suki Wanza, said there was a surge in productions last year, as theatre bounced back from Covid-19 woes. Suki Wanza (2nd right), said there was a surge in productions last year, as theatre bounced back from Covid-19 woes (Photo: Kenya Theatre Awards) The jury noted an increasing number of young, original playwrights last year. The nominees in that category are Mavin Kibicho in 'In Sickness and in Health' from Son of Man Productions, Martin Abuya in 'Flight 1963' from Igiza Arts, Michael Mwangi in 'Repeat After Me' from Khalaha, and Saumu Kombo in 'Backstreet 2' from Millaz Productions Kenya. There was a dismal female representation in this category and Suki encouraged more female thespians to write more. The 2024 five-bench jury consists of stage and TV actor Suki Wanza, stage and TV actor and director Ian Mbugua, legendary actor Steenie Njoroge, lecturer Dr. Emmanuel Shikuku, and poet Sitawa Namwalie. "The jury went to far-flung parts of the country to ensure that we get the right nominees for the awards. In the coming years, we hope to see more significant productions from outside Nairobi," said Suki. They went to watch plays in eight other towns: Mombasa, Kakamega, Embu, Siaya, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Kiambu. These plays received notable nods in this fourth edition of the Kenya Theatre Awards, with thespians in indigenous plays competing alongside their contemporary counterparts. Samuel Tirop garnered a nomination for Best Breakthrough Male Performer for 'Oret', a play in the Nandi language by 64 Theatre. 'Oret' joined four other pieces in the Best Kikwetu Production, a category that celebrates plays written in ethnic dialect. These are 'Theca Nja', 'Nengera Indo', 'Naku Amba Eka', and 'Hutia Kahaco'. Joyce Mathenge of 'Hutia Kahaco' is a nominee for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Play). Humphrey Maina received a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Gikuyu comedy play, 'Theci Noore', by Andu A Mumbi Production. 'Mukabira', a one-man play written by Dr Fred Mbogo, was picked for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue (Josiah Kiprop Kiptoo). Eric Chege received a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Play) for 'Theca Nja"' by Andu A Mumbi Production. The jury said the Best Breakthrough for Male and Female Actor categories were hotly contested. "Musicals, a genre mainly preserved for schools, were also produced by theatre companies. Although their production cost is high, the companies still put them out, and they were well received by the audience," said Suki. The industry witnessed an increase in two-person plays last year, and 'Sanctuary', by Prevail Presents; 'In Other Words', by Chemichemi Players; 'Shadows of the Cloth', by Chasina Arts; 'Numbers', by Joseph Obel and Esther Kamba; and 'Loose Ends', by Son of Man Productions are contesting for Best Two-hander Production. Due to few nominees in the Stand-Up Comedy category, the jury shelved it this year. "There were not enough performances in solo productions, and this necessitated us to have the few join in the monologue category. Some shows were not on the nomination list because the Kenya Theatre Awards were not invited. We urge the production companies to invite us," said Suki. Additionally, the jury invited production companies to record their plays and send them the videos for nomination consideration. They also advised them to make details about their shows, cast, and crew available online for the jury to easily collect data. The KIFT Executive Director Benson Ngobia applauded theatre artists for presenting quality, outstanding pieces. "There is an increase of quality productions from different theatre houses. They have put enough effort into entertaining and growing the audience, and that means an increase in earnings," said Benson. The Kenya Cultural Centre CEO Michael Pundo commended the thespians for quality productions. He further assured last year's award winners that they will get their delayed cash prizes. Kenya Cultural Centre CEO Michael Pundo (Photo: Kenya Theatre Awards) "It is still a priority of the KCC to ensure that the cash awards are sent to the winners. Our mission is to make creativity an economically viable endeavour," Pundo promised. The voting process opens on Monday, and it runs for three weeks, a climax for the Kenya Theatre Awards ceremony on February 20 at the Kenya National Theatre.

'Lwanda Otero' leads in Kenya Theatre Awards nominees, indigenous plays make waves

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