Alex in the Mara, a delightful African re-telling of Lewis’ Caroll’s childhood favourite tale Alice in Wonderland. The show, which was on display last weekend at the School of the Nations ticked many boxes including the play adaptation for an African audience.
With reason to - Caroll’s use of anthropomorphic animals, the white rabbit, the Chesire cat, the door mouse, the mock turtle and the march hare among others, gives the story an African setting, even before the jury of the Big 5 are added to the picture.
A little fumbling of words, missed cues and open scene changes were all the faults I could give of the dress rehearsal performance I watched.
For schools, this show is normally staged in front of their peers and is the first real on-stage enactment of their efforts. The performance was stellar and I wonder what precision they must have given their final act in front of their parents and invited audiences on March 15, 2025.
Alex (Daryl Djounang) opens in monologue, seated by the river when the white rabbit (Dylan Mburu) rushes by lamenting, he is late. Alex follows him down the road and from here it is a selection of portions, drink this or drink that, turning him into a smaller or larger version of himself.
In one of his shrinking episodes, Alex finds himself advised by a caterpillar (Sofia Mulani), who tells him to take a bite off the mushroom whereupon he will get back to his normal size.
Then comes the scenes with the Duchess (Talia Kerori), and her Chesire Cat (Rahab Mpinga), who directs Alex to the tea party of Hatter (Ezra Chelashaw), March Hare (Kelithi Sesi) and Doormouse (Love Kouna).
It is always 6pm or tea time here. Time stands still as a punishment to Hatter who was trying to ‘kill’ the time. This scene played on dramatically as fight on stage and was very well executed with the right music on cue.
Casting Lulu Murage as the queen of hearts was apt, she was in character and gave a fine performance. So was James Scharf-Mungai who not only played the King of Hearts but also triple-hatted as frog footman and the gyrophone.
In their croquet game, the queen’s anger takes central place, with her constant orders to behead anything not agreeable to her.
In the end, the jury, made up of the Big 5 animals is to declare a verdict on the knave of hearts (Adeyemi Adeyjola) who stands accused of stealing tarts from the Queen of Hearts.
It is in the courtroom that the queen calls for Alex’s beheading which he scoffs at, until her guards and a pack of cards begin to swarm over him. Alex wakes up to find this has been a dream.
School of the Nations advertises itself as an inclusive school. In drama and performance, one is looking out for character execution, stage presence, direction and diction.
In Alex in the Mara, the sense of creativity, wonder, curiosity and courage stand out in the various scenes displayed. The students of this school should be proud of their efforts in putting together the director, Ms Jerusha’s adaptation and giving meaning to the production.
The backdrop set and scene lighting were a highlight of the show. The music, played by the students in an orchestra led by Andrew Tumbo as music director set the tempo well, although the singers could have better projected and brought strength to their voices.
Ms Jerusha should celebrate her students, considering this is the school’s first performance after Covid and a good indicator that it only gets better from here.
It is the season for the school’s theatrical performances. For the Kenyan school calendar, the Kenya Drama and Music Festival competitions are on with the regional hits already having taken place.
Unlike the schools offering an alternative education system, Kenyan public schools' creativity shines with societal themes depicted throughout the festival. Topics like the controversial livestock vaccination, universal health coverage and the use of technology are being dramatised through various genres.
This year’s theme, Leveraging Technology to Nurture Talent while Inculcating National Values for Socio-economic Prosperity, a mouthful too, is being adapted across the stage. You will need to catch up with Anthony Njagi’s reviews of the drama festival in the Daily Nation.
Meanwhile, make a date with St Mary Sportsview Academy’s Safari, an adapted musical production showing at the Kenya National Theatre this Saturday. At the Kenya Cinema, Kabugi Theatre promises to make you smile with their show Smiles Caravan.
At the Jain Bhavan in Loresho, check on your finances through the Love and Money Festival to be held on March 29.
Hosted by This is Love Podcast and Financially Incorrect podcast, the show interrogates love and money through storytelling, stand-up comedy and a podcast discussion.
