Performing arts gain currency in conservative churches

By Jeckonia Otieno

The church has over the years undergone change from the days when it was unimaginable to stage an act to a time when creative arts have found their way into the pulpit.

Back then, singing hymns while standing was the norm and preaching was a preserve of grey-haired clergy.

Theatre arts have over the years gained support especially in the education system. Churches have now taken after the event perfected by the Kenya National Schools and Colleges Drama Festivals.

The Anglican Church in Kenya now allows creative arts as a way of preaching. The church has realised that one way of bringing the youth on board is to engage their minds creatively.

Recently, the Anglican Diocese of Nairobi hosted its faithful to theatre performances at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Jogoo Road. Seven different categories of performing arts were showcased. Dramatised verses, oral narratives, mimes, skits and dances proved that the church is not to be overlooked on matters creative arts.

The festival, which started at archdeaconry level, brought together more than 56 parishes. Twenty four teams performed in the seven different categories.

The most outstanding performances was a play The Quagmire from St Joseph of Arimathea Parish from Westlands. The play revolves around a young lady Malaika (Carol Mboya), born with disability, whose father Harry (Antony Kamakia), has to choose  whether to save the mother or the baby during childbirth. Harry chooses the baby and lets the mother die.

This is after Dr Phillip (John Mbugua) promised to marry Malaika when she grows up. Unfortunately the baby turns out to be crippled and Harry wants her dead. But Dr Phillip saves the day and allows her to live.

After a life of misery under the care of her step mum, Malaika comes of age and her father gives her to Antonio (Cyrus Mbugua) for marriage. However Dr Phillip arrives and demands “what is rightful his”.

The play was awarded top spot for its originality, and décor.

St Christopher’s Mathare North staged The Dossier, a story of an old king who survives a plan by his second in command to kill him and inherit the throne. The play had the main character the King (Paul Odhiambo) and his deputy (Nicholas Jacob) face off eventually when the king survives a plot to have him killed in an inferno.

All the plays were in tandem with the theme Do not let anyone despise your youth. Also acclaimed were plays from St Polycarp Mlango Kubwa and St faith Kariobangi South.

The play by St Polycarp revolved around the tussle for power while St Faith’s was on relationships and conflicts that exist between pastors and the youth.

St Christopher was the only team that presented a dance worthy of competition for the dramatised folk dance category. The dance told the story of a  family that gives birth to a boy and a girl who is disabled. The family decides to educate the boy and neglect her condition.

But reason reigns and the girl goes to school. Upon completing school, the young man becomes a drunkard while the girl becomes succesful.

Rev Mike Kuria, Nairobi Diocese director of youth affairs, said the church is rich in talents, which must not be wasted. He urged the youth to form groups that will help propagate Christian values through creative arts.