It is an interesting idea to have stories played out for me for it reminds me of my childhood days when I’d ask my grandma to tell me tales of their life experiences. Thus, it was a splendid experience to see the stories I’ve previously read or heard in passing come alive on stage.
It was a full house at the Louis Leakey Auditorium when I attended the September 2017 edition. The dynamic control and showmanship was great that accentuated key acts such as the Reverend Timothy Njoya’s role in post-independence Kenya, Professor Wangari Muta Maathai’s environmental activism as well as the Great Battles of Lumboka and Chetambe. It’s also here-forth that my colleagues, on learning the origin of the name Juja, now keep telling me to start introducing myself as ‘Jaju from Juja’, ufff!
I remember being both impressed and moved by the performance then. Still, I did have my reservations about some members of the cast but I figure it’s rather too late to critique now, and in any case, the two key acts were both intelligent and spirited. Laura too; the brilliance and power of her voice. Additionally, it gave me much to mull over; so much that I am all too ready to attend their upcoming show in January 2018 for another round of stories.
The creative scene is positively boasting of young talent and you can’t say that Kenya’s history is not reeling towards success with the duo that is Ngatia and Abu Sense. Too Early for Birds has offered up a stage for the retelling and rewriting of her stories (un)told and where it benefits from Owaahh’s extensive research work, we can expect a thrilling theatrical experience.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Kenya’s past heroes and heroines would be glad to hear their struggles and achievements acknowledged and relished by many. As for the current and future generations, much stands to be learned and much will be learned; and once the Too Early for Birds team has taken over the reins of the art scene, we will begin to gain a stronger impression of the lessons that lie ahead of us.
Once again, I find myself in the sweet spot of a target audience who won’t pass up an excuse to enthuse another great performance.. This time, the show will be held at the Kenya National Theatre on the 13th and 14th of January 2018. Perhaps it will shed light on the Ouko and Pinto murders or maybe, Kenya’s colonial economy and the transition to neo-colonialism. Perhaps it will highlight how foreign capital has ‘Kenyanized’ the equity; whatever the show holds in store, I can only say that mine is a quiet anticipation.
********************
Tickets are going for KES 1,000/- (advance) and KES 1,500/- (At the door) and can be purchased via M-Pesa Till Number: 734196
