Back in high school, we used to have actors come to perform our English and Swahili set books to enhance our understanding of them. However, in the last week of April, I was thrilled to attend my first ever play in an actual theatreš. The play, titled 'Ngaahika Ngeenda' (I Will Marry When I Wantš š¾) by the celebrated writer and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o and fellow writer Ngugi wa Miiri, was performed by thespians from the Nairobi Performing Arts Studio in the Kenya National Theatre. It was a historical moment as that performance was the first time it was ever performed almost 45 years since it was banned by Kenyatta's government.
Attending that play was a dream come true for meāØ. Throughout my high school years, I envisioned myself joining or at least celebrating the local art scene by attending plays whenever possible, especially during my campus years. 'My Network', a Friday pullout of the Daily Nation which focuses on twenty-somethings pursuing higher education and seeking to grow career-wise, heavily influenced how I would like my twenties to be likeš. I was glad to be finally living out that dream. That desire, coupled with my curiosity of wanting to know what possibly could have warranted the unlawful arrest of Ngugi (wa Thiong'o), made me purchase an early bird ticket to the live showš.
I have a couple of blog post ideas surrounding this play which might be coming soonš, but I wanted this blog post to be what I needed to read before I attended the play. Yes, these are tips for newbies to theatres and you are welcomeš. I intentionally failed to Google some tips to garner some experience which would help me write this for youš. Without further ado, here they are.
1. Aim for early bird ticketsš
Nope, they aren't for the richš.
You didn't sneeze but I just āØblessedāØ you with yet another financial tip (read more of them here if you missed that blog post) - go for early bird ticketsš! Also known as advance tickets, they help one save a lot of money as compared to those who buy their tickets at the gate. Most people tend to miss purchasing them because most of the time, the money hasn't added up yetš. The only way to ensure that you can afford advance tickets would be to have savings which are readily accessibleš°. Another benefit of going for early bird tickets would be having 100% assurance of not missing out on the action you signed up forš. Also, you won't have to worry about tickets getting sold outš„µ.
An extra tip would be to take advantage of one's status of being a student. That helped me afford this experienceš. The regular tickets were going for Ksh. 1,300/= while those for students were Ksh. 500/=. What a huge differenceš.
2. Get to the theatre early enough
This was a lesson learnt the hard way. Yes, I ran a little late and made it to the theatre half an hour past the time the play was supposed to startš. I must admit that it is pretty distasteful to run late because it often insinuates that the person has no regard for the other person's timeš. However, I am hardly late to class or events, and this was just but a mishapšš¾āāļø.
I did leave the house at the time I had planned to, but I had underestimated the traffic that I usually encounter when entering the CBD. A huge chunk of my time was wasted there and I was forced to walk quickly to uptown in a pair of heels (š«) and later on part with Ksh. 150/= to get me to the theatre fast enough. You know how I feel about unnecessary spendingš¢. Anyway, I forgave myself (had to!) and luckily enough, made it to the theatre to find the play just about to startš!
So, I did make some losses:
I parted with money to have a motorbike take me to the venueā¹
Although I had a reserved seat, I had to sit at the back because I found it slightly embarrassing to go looking for my seat when the play was right about to startš¤Ŗ
The hustle and bustle of trying to make it to the venue robbed me of the chance to have a slow morning and a moment to really appreciate being there at the beginningš.
Depending on where you are from and if there's any traffic to expect, just get out of the house with a big enough time allowance because one just never knowsš¶. Other than that, it gives one some mental clarity and peace of mind, knowing that your only business is to sit back, relax and watch a play that you've been excited aboutš. It also saves you money, take it from mešŖ!
3. Reserve the best seats ahead of the play
Before buying the ticket, I didn't know that one had the option of picking where one would like to sit. When asked about which part of the auditorium I wanted to sit, I had no clue about which spot I would likeš. This was the only thing I Googled to secure the best experience for myself (which I did a pretty good job inš).
I would have shared the best seats (specifically for this theatre) for one to book, but I feel like I'm too much of a rookie to dispense that kind of information. I did pick the middle auditorium because I likened my classroom experience to the situation: not being comfortable with front row seats, not liking the back row seats and just enjoying the comfort that comes with being in the middle row. What I do know, however, is that the back auditorium seats are best for tall people. I was luckyš!
I promise that I will update this blog post once I sample all the positions at the Kenya National Theatre. Hopefully, you will find it worth the waitā¤.
4. Don't use your phone
Initially, I was intending to take pictures of the actors performing live for the blog but I wasn't seated at the right spot. I eventually gave up. What I do admit is that it was difficult to fully be in the moment whilst recording (or trying to record) the actors every time they burst into song. Looking back, I am glad that I couldn't take quality photos and videosš . I was really in the moment during the whole performance, and I kind of figured that even if I do love my blog, some things can take a back seat, you know? Free stock photos exist on the internet for a reason, after allā¤.
Apart from taking away your attention from the show, I figured that the actors on stage can spot a member of the audience when they are on their phonesš. The light from your phone screen could make you easily spotted and truthfully, that isn't a good look. It gives "I don't value what these actors are doing on stage" and that's pretty rudeš. If you have to use your phone, use it during breaks or quietly walk out of the theatre to do so.
5. Plan for where you are going to snack at
This depends on when your play is scheduled to start. Mine was at eleven a.m., meaning that I had to at least know where I could have a little snack to keep me full until when I got home. I planned to have my lunch at home but I was already hungry during the play! After the play ended, I did a quick survey (trust me, it was quickš) and I had three options: Hotel Fairmount The Norfolk, the Wasanii Restaurant right above the theatre itself or the Big Knife Restaurant, a Turkish restaurant across the footbridge far ahead.
The first one was definitely out, and I wasn't sure about the remaining two. Frankly, I was scared to check out the Wasanii Restaurantš . However, I knew that the Big Knife was affordable despite having never tried that restaurant out. Well, I didn't try it out either because I knew I could get cheaper options in town (as low as Ksh. 100/=). I'm not cheap, it's just that sometimes, some things aren't worth it (especially if they are way out of budget).
In a nutshell, this is the blog post I would refer anyone to if they've never been to a play at the Kenya National Theatre and wanted to go see one. It was a pleasure being a Guinea pig for the sake of those who'll need thisš. If this helped you, kindly share it with those you think will need it, and maybe tell me about itš. If you would like to show appreciation for what I do, you could buy me a Ko-Fi here.
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