- The African classic play has a plot that vividly and incisively evaluates the political challenges that have historically plagued young African economies.
- Mosese's poignant remark will be repeated in the Kenya National Theater auditorium throughout February and early March.
Image: HANDOUT
Writerly fans who enjoy fascinating African classics will be in for a treat at Nairobi's Kenya National Theatre in the coming weeks.
And the lines that follow may sound familiar, especially to those who have revelled in Kenyan literature.
"It was better while we waited. Now we have nothing to look forward to. We have killed our past and are busy killing our future."
These pragmatic sentiments, spoken by a well-known character, Mosese, in Francis Imbuga's opus Betrayal In The City, have transcended age and time.
The African classic play, first published in 1976, has a plot that vividly and incisively evaluates the political challenges that have historically plagued young African economies.
Mosese's poignant remark will be repeated in the Kenya National Theater auditorium throughout February and early March.
Nairobi Performing Arts Studio's star-studded cast has set up camp at the theatre to animate the stage with Imbuga's creation, which was once a high school set book.
The play, which premiered on February 2 and is scheduled to run through March 12, is directed by Stuart Nash.
Nash is now a household name, having also overseen another outstanding production from Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s book, I Will Marry When I Want, in 2022.
The acclaimed British actor whose first acting role was in London’s West End in the musical Oliver, when he was only nine years old, stated that he has assembled a stellar cast to light up the KNT stage and leave the audience with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Raymond Ofula, a seasoned Kenyan thespian, tops the list of household names summoned for duty. He returns to the stage to reprise the role of Boss in the drama after a 25-year sabbatical.
"NPAS is bringing Francis Imbuga’s ground-breaking play Betrayal in the City to the Kenya National Theatre over 40 years after its last production there. Raymond Ofula makes a triumphant return to the KNT stage to star as Boss" Stuart said.
Martin Kigondu, a seasoned Kenyan actor and filmmaker, will play Mosese.
The rest of the cast includes Francis Ouma Faiz (Jusper), Dru Muthure (Tumbo), Fish Chege (Askari), Sam Psenjen (Nicodemo), Ibrahim Muchemi (Mulili), Duncan Murunyu (Jere), Omondi Ngota (Doga), Wakio Mzenge (Nina), Dominic Mute (Kabito)
Joan Wambui, who plays Regina, is the lone female in the male-dominated cast.
"The composition of the cast is entirely dependent on the play being performed. Whereas Betrayal In The City has more males, Sarafina has more girls," Nash said.
Nash is quick to stress that the production has not been inspired by the current political situation, but rather by a desire to move away from the typical shows that fill the country's theatrical halls.
"It has been a long time since any theatre group in Kenya produced a classic. We want to alter this pattern since it. Drama fans in the country may expect more classics from us. We plan to stage Sarafina when we finish Betrayal in the City," Nash said.