Three years ago, award winning theatre director Dr Julisa Rowe came across the Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs Bible study. It's an attempt to dive deep into the lives of some of the most vilified women from the good book.
Yes, it was enlightening, but Julisa says it felt so American. She craved something that she and Kenyan women would relate to.
“She wrote a very contemporary book, so I thought about what the equivalent would be for a Kenyan woman,” she says.
From today, (May 16) to 18th, at Daystar University Auditorium on Valley Road, Nairobi, ChemiChemi Players satisfy that craving in their adaptation Bad Girls of the Bible, scripted by Yafesi Musoke and directed by Julisa.
Working with the scriptwriter, Julisa says the biggest issue was how to get all these different characters on stage together in a way that the interaction would be seamless.
Initially, there were two proposals: a monologue and a community therapy setting in a jail. Eventually, they opted for a set-up where the women would have a reunion on a reality show, sometimes cat-fighting in a pre-afterlife setting where they would either be granted eternal life or condemned.
“There are people who are bad for a moment, bad for a time and bad to the bone. That’s kind of the journey we explore,” says Julisa sums up the goal of the show.
“We want to look at the backgrounds of these women. Delilah cut Samson’s hair, but what if she viewed herself as a spy for her people? Maybe she had something to prove for her patriotism, as well as the money she received?” Poses Julisa.
Jezebel, another often condemned woman, was a foreigner who, in her home country, would have been considered to be adhering to her religion. But her killing of Naboth and his sons to get the vineyard for King Ahab, which was ancestral land that he wouldn’t sell, is relatable in Kenya. It is taboo to sell ancestral land. Julisa and Yafesi purposely wrote this into the play, which wasn’t in the original script.
Another biblical villain, Sapphira is re-imagined in the play as the “new money” Nairobi hustler-businesswoman who tries to appear as a hero in the eyes of the church.
Potiphar’s wife is reincarnated as the modern-day politicians’ trophy wives – marriage of conveniences – and shines the light on what those women do to occupy their time or when their needs aren’t met.
Julisa also likens the story of the woman at the well to wife inheritance in some Kenyan communities.
However, Julisa is keen not to put her ideas on scripture. She has been to seminary twice to study for her doctorate in theology. She also doesn’t want sexuality to be the distraction to the story, even though some of the women, so she had theologians read it and advise on whether the script was on track.
Mugambi Ikiara plays DA (the host of the show “Bad Girls What Are you Gonna Do For Me?”), Kerri Kagiri shows up as Sapphira (aka bad Girl Safo aka Saf Saf Yule Dem aka… and they go on), and Ivy Esther takes on the role of Delilah.
Mugambi, who had played Jesus in Julisa’s 2023 production Pilate, forewent the opportunity to be in another project after reading the 'script sides’ (contains only dialogue for one character) at the auditions.
“Everyone was laughing. We were reading it and then you’d hear “What! What!” It sounds interesting, funny and something that is going to teach people about the Bible in a not-so preachy way. It’s way more relatable; it’s a TV show, man,” says Mugambi.
He describes the play as a “redemption arc” but not “in the church way”. It’s bringing stories of women in the Bible who had real lives and motivations for doing the things they did, so that you can see the deeds they are known for from their lenses in the end.
“They were not just villains. It triggers your previous thoughts towards these characters,” adds Justin.
Kerri says she was pushed into a role that is outside of character. “I did not want that role, first of all, because I’m 'bougie'. Sapphira is so ghetto, and I’ve never crossed that side of Uhuru Highway. I’m such a great actor,” says Kerri jokingly.
She had read for Jezebel, but did Sapphira so well during the auditions. The radio and “The Dating Stories” YouTube channel hostess says that her interactions with people from all social backgrounds enabled her to “code switch” without trying too hard.
“I love all kinds of people and it’s interesting to get into their shoes: I had to do a lot of research on mtaani people; how they behave, what are their concerns – even when I’m sitting on stage without lines, how am I still being Bad Girl Safo?” Laughs Kerri, adding that it has made her more versatile.
Ivy believes the “backstories” of the Bad Girls of the Bible are really exciting.
“In all our badness or wicked deeds, we all have a chance at redemption. I don’t want to spill any tea. I want people to come with their expectations, and I hope I shall meet them. Have you seen the cats? It has been a good opportunity for me to learn from them,” says Ivy.
She says she chose to work with Julisa again after being in Pilate because she “allows you to bring what you feel about the character”, referring to Julisa as a nurturer.
