The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Entering the theatre tent, one is officially in the Tinga Tinga Kingdom. From the very start we are signalled that this is an interactive show where the animals are the star and the humans who ‘steal their fur and land’, are the audience.
The Monkey played by Eric Wainaina opens the show and gives us direction and sets the pace. Eric owns the stage in every step. He floats and glides with ease and rocks long red eyelashes and green lipstick. Though this was part of the makeup for all the cast, seeing Eric’s commitment to his character encouraged the audience to commit their participation and raise their arms and wiggle their fingers to release their energies to get the Giraffe out of a ‘sticky situation’.
This is an ensemble cast and even though the weighted presence of John Sibi Okumo who brilliantly and authoritatively maintains the show’s pace as the King of the Kingdom, everyone’s role is key to pass the message: ‘everyone is somebody’’.
The Chameleon masterfully played by Elton Mwambui channelled George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelics flare to his transformation for those who have a powerhouse 70’s funk band reference. Wainaina as Music Director took us around the world in rhythms and songs that complimented the story with Dawn Chorus being a particulate favorite.
Iddi Achieng is divinely cast as the flirty Hippo with powerhouse vocals. There is a nuance between vocals for stage and singing in a band. It’s all about projection. Despite the vocals not being in the true zone of Musical Theatre, they were laid on top of complex musical chord changes played by the tight six-piece band. What this means for anyone listening is that it still sounds great, with good professional sound from Homeboyz. What the set does not have in moving pieces makes up for it with a lot of magical imagination and creativity courtesy of Propolis puppetry, with a very special mention to their wizardry with the Crocodile.
Tinga Tinga Tales feels like Off Broadway meets Nairobi. Kudos to Rainmaker Productions for showing that one is no longer limited to going to town for a professional stage play. Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy and support local arts for the entire family.
