Kenya National Theatre is part of the Kenya Cultural Centre, a Semi Autonomous Government Agency under the Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture in

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

. It is mandated to offer space for the rehearsal and staging of productions to both local and international repertoire. It is based in

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ha ...

along Harry Thuku Road and borders the

University of Nairobi , mottoeng = In unity and work , image = Uon emblem.gif , image_size = 210px , caption = Coat of Arms of the University , type = Public , endowment ...

(UON), The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. The history of the building has viewed its location as a hurdle for an earnest identification with the local artistic performances. The cost of maintenance has meant higher booking fees for fledgling repertoires, eventually reserving itself for a corporate clientele. The Kenya National Theatre has also been a subject of scholarly criticism and a basis for formulating a cultural policy. In 2004, Kenya Cultural Centre Ltd contracted Millicon's Ltd to undertake a three phase renovation of the facility. In October 2007, Kenya National Theatre was handed over and renamed "National Theatre" with a notable interior design of the first floor's "Wasanii Restaurant" by Terry Tabor.

History

Plans for the Kenya National Theatre begun in 1949 when a committee requested the colonial government to build a theatre. The government passed a law (Chapter 218 of 1951), and provided land on what is now Harry Thuku Road for the building. The choice of location was due to safety considerations, as this was the at the beginning of the Mau Mau uprising and that area was away from the areas frequented by Africans. Once complete, the 450-seat theatre had a dilapidated orchestra pit in the basement, an auditorium with a curtained stage, and a balcony. It also included a bar and restaurant on the first floor. The theatre underwent a multimillion shilling renovation, which was completed between March 2014 and March 2015.

Notable productions

The most notable performance is Conrad Makeni's production of ''I Will Marry When I Want'' by

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (; born James Ngugi; 5 January 1938) is a Literature of Kenya, Kenyan author and academic who writes primarily in Gikuyu language, Gikuyu and who formerly wrote in English language, English. He has been described as having bee ...

and

Ngugi wa Mirii Ngugi wa Mirii (1951 – 2/3 May 2008) was a Kenyan- Zimbabwean playwright, social worker and teacher, most known for his play '' Ngaahika Ndeenda'', which he co-authored with fellow Gikuyu writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.''The Times'', June 8, 2008 ...

play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * Pla ...

with a cast of 500. which landed Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o in trouble with authorities in the 1980s. In May 2003 the South African musical Sarafina!,was produced at the Kenya National Theatre by Sterling Quality Entertainment Company. The producers of the show, Peter J. Oyier and Paul J. Oyier also hosted

Mbongeni Ngema Mbongeni Ngema (born 1 June 1956) is a South African writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer and theatre producer, born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (near Durban). He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist. He wrote the mul ...

and

Leleti Khumalo Leleti Khumalo (born 30 March 1970) is a South African actress known for her leading role in the movie and stage play ''Sarafina! (musical), Sarafina!'' and for her roles in other films such as ''Hotel Rwanda'', ''Yesterday (2004 film), Yesterd ...

for the premiere of the show, which had an all-Kenyan cast and was praised by Ngema and Khumalo for its accurate and powerful portrayal of the world-acclaimed musical theatre piece. In 2017, the theatre hosted award-winning musical ''Jesus Christ Superstar,'' as well as Too Early for Birds, an experimental theatre production that stages stories from Kenyan history.

References

{{Authority control National theatres Theatre in Kenya Nairobi