The second edition of the Kenya Theatre Awards took place on 23rd February 2023 at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Hon. Ababu Namwamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts; Akinyi Odongo OGW; and veteran media personality Jimmy Gathu.
As expected, Ngahiika Ndenda (I Will Marry When I Want) was the big winner of the night. Ngahiika Ndenda, a Gikũyũ-language play, was first performed nearly fifty years ago and earned its playwright, Ngũgi wa Thiong’o, a one-year stint in a Maximum Security Prison. It was more recently staged with great success by the Nairobi Performing Arts Studio (NPAS). Its director/producer Stuart Nash also picked up two trophies to add to his mantelpiece. He used some Gikũyũ words during his acceptance speech.
A musical number performed by the cast of the vernacular show, ‘Ngahiika Ndenda’. (Photo: KTA Media Team)
CREATIVES ‘R’ US
In his remarks towards the end of the four-hour-long award ceremony, Hon. Ababu Namwamba said:
“How can you not absolutely, completely, totally, irrevocably be blown away – thrilled – by the level of energy, the verve, the passion in this theatre tonight? Unless you’re a mannequin or a statue. But, really, this evening, if ever one needed a confirmation that theatre is king, then this night has just proven that…
“Let me assure you that the Ministry is fully supportive of this space. We have approved a grand plan to renovate this space and turn it into a composite area where you will enjoy all sorts of services besides this stage. The awards we have just witnessed here will continue. But later this year, we will be launching the mother of all awards. It will be like an umbrella awards (sic). It has been wrongly branded “the Kenyan Grammies”. They’re not Grammies. They can’t be Grammies. Because these are awards that are going to go across the entire space of the creatives. They will award, theatre, music, film, sporting, talents – they’re going to be Talanta Awards that will really be mega. Because they’re going to be awards that recognize your creativity but also provide a sufficient pass to enable you to enable your dreams and your projects, as a thespian or as an artist…
“And for these particular awards (scheme), we have approved some funds to our (Kenya Cultural Centre/Kenya National Theatre) very progressive CEO Mr. Mike Opundo, who will make sure that each winner here – each of the 37 winners here – will have a token of a hundred thousand shillings…We want to monetize your talents. We want you to feel that what you’re doing is right and is worth your while.”
The ceremony hosts, Kelly Kagiri (left) and Brian Aseli (right) pose with Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. (Photo: KTA Media Team)
LIST OF WINNERS:
Annabel Maule – LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Ngugi wa Thiong’o – WORLD IMPACT AWARD
Ogutu Muraya – WORLD IMPACT AWARD
Dance Into Space – JURY’S SPECIAL AWARD
Ngahiika Ndeenda – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio – BEST KIKWETU PRODUCTION
Kesho Amahoro – Youth Theatre Kenya – BEST CHILDREN’S PLAY
Kenyatta University – BEST UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE THEATRE GROUP
I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio – BEST PRODUCTION
Circus Mother Nature – Sarakasi Trust – BEST DANCE THEATRE
Creative Arts Spaces in Kenya (CASiK) – USHIRIKA AWARD
Shalini Bhalla – Lucas and the Manic Monologues Cast (Zack Burton & Elisa Hofmeister) – BEST ADAPTATION
The Director/Producer of ‘Ngahiika Ndeenda’, Stuart Nash(Photo: KTA Media Team)
Stuart Nash – I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – BEST PRODUCER
Nixsha Shah – Speak Their Names – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (PLAY)
Stuart Nash – I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – BEST DIRECTOR
Clare Wahome – The Dying Need No Shoes – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE (PLAY)
BEST ACTRESS: Clare Wahome (Photo: KTA Media Team)
Cyprian Osoro – Coast of Living – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (PLAY)
Bilal Mwaura – I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE (PLAY)
Wakio Mzenge – The Manic Monologues – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A MONOLOGUE
Charles J Ouda – The Manic Monologues – BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A MONOLOGUE
I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – Mercy Wangui – BEST STAGE MANAGED PRODUCTION
How to have an Affair; A Cheaters’ Guide – Shorts From Africa – BEST TWO-HANDER PRODUCTION
Nyokabi Macharia – BEST BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE PERFORMER
Dadson Gakenga – BEST BREAKTHROUGH MALE PERFORMER
Dr. Zippy Okoth – The Side Chic Wife – BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION
Martin Kigondu – Supernova – BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION
Martin Kigondu – Supernova – BEST PLAYWRIGHT – ORIGINAL SCRIPT
GOOD YEAR: Martin Kigondu picked up two awards for his one-man-show, ‘Supernova’. (Photo: KTA Media Team)
Lewis Kavoi Xavier and Jairo Obege – Mekatilili wa Menza – BEST SET DESIGN
Alacoque Ntome – Mekatilili wa Menza – BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Sam Njenga Githongo – Mekatilili wa Menza – BEST ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY IN A MUSICAL/PLAY
Noah Akintade – I Will Marry When I Want/Ngahiika Ndeenda – BEST MUSICAL SCORE/ARRANGEMENTS/ADAPTATION
Ambrose Kimani – Supernova – BEST SOUND DESIGN
Christina Baya and Philine Olesi – Mekatilili wa Menza – BEST COSTUMES DESIGN
COSTUME MATTERS: Christina Baya and Philine Olesi (Photo: KTA Media Team)
Mekatilili wa Menza – Woodcreek School – BEST MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Mufasa For President – BEST SPOKEN WORD PRODUCTION
Manmade Woman – Astar Productions – BEST STAND-UP COMEDY PRODUCTION
Something Must Kill A Man – Cmg Poshmedia – BEST STORY-TELLING PRODUCTION
Heartstrings Entertainment – THEATRE COMPANY OF THE YEAR
VIDEO OF THE AWARD CEREMONY:
This post was written by the author in their personal capacity.The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Theatre Times, their staff or collaborators.
This post was written by Alexander Nderitu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.
