By: Ruth Koech
Artflame Theatre Network is Theatre Production located in Eldoret-Uasin Gishu County founded by Brian Mwanzo. It’s a Company committed to bring new vitality to worthy stage plays and also performed setbooks in high schools.Fula is a captivating stage play written by Brian Mwanzo(Director/Playwright/Theatre Nerd),Workshopped by Wakio Mzenge, Lighting by Alacoque Ntone,Music by Oceray, Percussion by Kamau G, exploring the blend of modernity and culture. It has been perfomed in several places this year;Kvda Auditorium in Eldoret 25th Feb ,Little Lambs Academy 1st March ,Nakuru Theatre Players 31st March ,Eka Hotel Eldoret Rerun 1st May ,Testimony Academy 31st May and Eugenia Amphitheatre- Kiambu 6th July.
The story centers around a spiritually gifted young beautiful raucous woman Pula meaning Rain, who is stuck between two worlds, two cultures, two lifestyles and countless blinding opinions from the society she is caught in a dream of sorts, raised under a patriarch grandmother after the death of her father and her mother remarries oversees, she Instinctively becomes inducted to the throne her grandmother occupied. Her life takes an
unexpected turn when she discovers her ancestral calling. She is caught between city life and heeding to the call, she is bringing a new perspective to her people on traditional beliefs and modern perspectives on climate change and action. The play attempts to revive the confidence of these women in a harsh environment, both from rural and urban areas and encourages them to be proud of whom they are and embrace their culture edition. The play interrogates issues of identity.
The play doesn’t just examine identity; It dares to reignite the fire within each and everyone, challenging us to embrace our roots and tradition with fierce pride.It boldly confront the harsh realities faced by all of us in both rural and urban jungles, urging us to reclaim our power and honor our heritage in an unapologetically vibrant celebration of self-discovery and cultural pride.
On 6th July at Eugenia Park located at Exit 14 Kenyatta Road,5KM Off Thika Highway hosted Fula show.There were two shows ;First show was at 2PM Students GE Premiere Session and Second show at 5PM Adults GE Premiere Session, then Photo shoot ,Meet & Greet.Faith Moko the General Manager and all workers of Eugenia Park did their best for the show to be successful.
Prof Kivutha Kibwana the former Governor of Makueni County, Dr. Fred Mbogo Best Kenyan Playwright, Senior Lecturer at The Technical University Of Kenya, Department of Music and Performing Arts ,Judge Ian Mbugua and others attended the show.
“An Exquisite drama and Performance. The traditional and Modern Must Interact for Africa’s decolonization and the UBUNTU “.-PROF KIVUTHA KIBWANA.
“Tapping into a program by United Nation COP meeting that was launched in 2015 on climate change crisis ARTFLAME THEATRE NETWORK has created a program GREEN THEATRE FESTIVAL. The climate crisis has been called a “crisis of imagination.” The phrase refers to our inability to grasp the magnitude and violence of the changes we are facing, our reluctance to let the reality of it permeate our collective consciousness, and our resistance to envision positive futures. But imagination is the CURRENCY OF ANY ARTIST used to reflect on the ways in which we use to create the stories that will support us through, and lift us out of, this transformative moment of climate crisis. The power that theatre has in tackling climate change lies in its story-telling ability. Theatre can help to mold public opinion, and create empathy and emotion in visual and immersive ways-maybe even beyond our imagination These are series of climate change and theatrical activities exploring the intimate impacts of climate change on both individuals and communities’ – Brian Mwanzo – Theatre Nerd.
Brian Mwanzo the Director is planning for another show that will be held on 12th October 2024 at University Of Nairobi- Main Campus.And an Outdoor Theatre curated by Mwanzo and Directed by Wakio,Board Games ;Darts, Chess, Carrom Sunset Effect, African Authentic music, Bonding and Networking Coffee, Photographs & Reels and African Meals at Matunda City Mall and Resort on 14th September 2024.
James Wakahiu 
John Kamau