Category Archives: Phoenix Theatre
Shakespeare, I Presume?
(This critique appeared in The EastAfrican February 21-27 under the title, All About the Bard and the Bees) Despite speculation that some works attributed to him may have been written by other people, William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is heralded as the … Continue reading
Realism Fails to Pull Off Reality in Lucky People
“YOU ain’t seen a John Godber play unless directed by me,” says John Godber but his play Lucky Sods which opened at Phoenix Theatre on Friday January 14 2011 was directed by George Mungai. Godber is said to be … Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Muthure, Drama, George Mungai, John Godber, Phoenix Players, Phoenix Theatre
Changing Generations: A Big Musical On A Small Stage
(This review appeared in The East African January 17-23 2011) RECENTLY, I was called upon to direct a play, which had a substantial amount of music in it, although it was not a musical. As the saying goes, only … Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Muthure, Drama, George Mungai, James Falkland, Musicals, Phoenix Players, Phoenix Theatre
What Do We See In Theatre’s Mirror?
(This review appeared in the East African November 29 – December 5 2010 under the title Comedy ‘proposes’ a class struggle under Kenya’s peaceful [society]) Curtains fell on George Mungai’s Propose Me at the Phoenix Theatre on 20th November 2010. … Continue reading
Filed under David Opondoe, Drama, George Mungai, Lorna Irungu, Nick Njache, Phoenix Players, Phoenix Theatre
A Journey into the Middle Ages with Mario Pirovano
(This review appeared in the East African (November 15-21 2010) under the title Pirovano Is Perfect as “God’s Jester”) The Italian actor Mario Pirovano was in Nairobi last month- courtesy of the Italian Cultural Institute- performing his English translation of … Continue reading
Filed under Dario Fo, Drama, Mario Pirovano, Phoenix Theatre, Storytelling
Phoenix Presents Plautus- Master of Classic Comedy
(A version of this review appeared in the East African September 20-26 2010 under the title A Rich Serving of Classic Comedy) Financial considerations are obviously the major influencing factor determining a theatre company’s choice of play and Phoenix players … Continue reading
Africa’s Role to Play in Drama
(A version of this review appeared in the East African August 9-15 under the title ‘Role Play’ Gives African Drama a Distinctive Point of Reference) There are two points to consider when reflecting on African drama – the form and … Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Muthure, Drama, John Sibi-Okumu, Nick Njache, Phoenix Players, Phoenix Theatre
Another “Copy And Paste” Production At The Phoenix
(This review appeared in the Sunday Nation on 3rd May 2009) No Dinner For Sinners opened at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday 25th April. This is a comedy by Edward Taylor about a young stock exchange geek, Jim Watt … Continue reading
Filed under Chao Mwatela, Charles Ouda, Drama, Edward Taylor, Phoenix Players, Phoenix Theatre
A Rather British Evening at the Phoenix
(A version of this review appeared in the Sunday Nation on 15th March 2009) Just ended at the Phoenix Theatre, on Saturday 7th March, were three short plays by three of the most prolific, contemporary British playwrights. The first was Window … Continue reading
Whore From Ohio in Nairobi
(A version of this review appeared in the Sunday Nation on 22nd February 2009) I would like to say that it was quite brave of Peter Mudamba to stage Hanoch Levin’s The Whore From Ohio in Nairobi, but, I suppose, … Continue reading
Filed under Drama, Hanoch Levin, Mbalamwezi Moodz, Peter Mudamba, Phoenix Theatre
