Reviewed by Faith Oneya
This article first appeared at http://www.actors.co.ke/en/mer/articledetail/210
The promotional e-mails and fliers promised a play “Packed full of suspense, intrigue and comic moments, with a killer final twist”.
Just before watching this play, I had lamented (with the help of a fellow theatre lover) on the dearth of the entertainment factor in Kenyan theatre with a lot having predictable plots and endings. This stand was changed minutes into watching this play.
The stage, in characteristic FCA style, is impeccably decorated in fine quality furniture befitting the upper middle-class that the main character Mr. Daniel Ngei (Played by Joe Kinyua) is portraying.
The sound track that rips through the auditorium ably renders suspense as the main style in the play.
The play begins with an agitated Mr. Ngei, who has summoned the Chief Inspector of Police to report on his wife’s disappearance. Andrew Muthure (You may recognize him from the hit TV show Mother-In Law as Mustapha) delivers his lines with a fine, seasoned sense of humour. Of Mrs.Ngei’s disappearance, he tells Mr. Ngei; “Hundred thousand wives leave their husbands every other day, and that is just in Naivasha alone…”which leaves Mr. Ngei more distressed and the audience highly entertained.
The highly paced plot then unfolds quickly to introduce a straight-backed priest(played by Davis Nato ) and a woman who claims to be Mrs.Ngei (played by Nice Githinji)! Hilarious conversations, confrontations and confessions quickly follow.
Derrick Amunga, who always impeccably delivers sufficient doses of humour, plays the role of a disillusioned, alcoholic painter Mr.Marangi-a possible witness to the marriage vows exchange of the Ngeis.
The star-studded cast that also includes Liz Ngugi holds the plot together in way only actors of their caliber can to deliver this thrilling, hilarious treat. It would not be surprising to hear a ‘Back due to Public Demand’ for this one!
The play is directed by Mbeki Mwalimu and produced by Abuto Eliud.
Gloria Mwaniga Minage
Faith Oneya
ropta
Very true:a definite 9 out of 10.
The best Kenyan play i have watched……. the suspense and twists can only be compared to Sidney Sheldon’s writing…..HAS TO BE BACK DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!