The weekend was peppered with events, but one that stood out was Bank Otuch, a play by Art Space performed at Jalaram Auditorium.
Robinson Mudavadi, one of the country's best directors of French plays, was the original mind behind the gripping narrative. The script, brought to life by Emmanuel Chindia, who skillfully unpacked the problems facing youth in today's society, including irresponsible gambling, economic disparity in relationships, and much more. The cast reflected the cross-section of a society under strain.
"My goal was for the youth to not partake in crime and not get involved in societal pressures," Emmanuel explained, referencing the story of a heist by four robbers attempting to rob a bank.
What begins as a seemingly simple plan, "get in, grab the cash, and get out," unravels in unexpected ways. "The heist, which looked straightforward on paper, turns into a suspenseful sequence with twists and surprising revelations," said Sam Ouma, who played Roba, a 30-year-old graduate with a degree in Architecture but no job to show for it.
Driven by the burden to provide for his loved ones, Roba masterminds the robbery, rallying three others to join in.
"It was interesting how love makes one do crazy things like robbing a bank," Sam added, recounting the conflict faced by his character, Roba.
The packed auditorium highlighted the fast growth of the theatre space in Kenya,â€Â and it's great to be a part of this,â€Â Emmanuel noted.
But even with full houses, he stressed the need for better financial investment.
"The financial growth of talent in the industry depends on having producers who can pay well and push marketing so that more people come to enjoy theatre."
"It is also imperative to pass down knowledge and skills to the new generation, as the majority of people in theatre learn from the job," he adds.
Sam echoed the sentiment pointing out the importance of having a good support network.
"With 'Bank Otuch,' I experienced love and support for the art and the artists from fellow artists. A larger percentage of the audience was made up of colleagues who paid to come and watch the play, and I think that's the way to go!" He said.
He emphasized that, "If we support each other, it is gonna be easier to fill these auditoriums, which translates to money in the pockets of the artist."
Emmanuel's next projects are, The Anointed Cartel by Igiza Arts production, and Jaboya, a rerun by Sons of Muju production. You can find the tickets of Jaboya at TikoHUB.
