'Contract Love' premieres in Nairobi theatre

Members of Silk Theatre Faith King'ola, left, Fanuel Mulwa and Akuya Ekorot perform "Contract Love" in Nairobi on Tuesday. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

NAIROBI: Theatre lovers will be treated to a rare musical this Valentine when Silk Theatre premieres their new play titled Contract Love.

Love will be in the air when Martin Githinji, Fanuel Mulwa, Faith King’ola and Akuya Ekorot get into an intimately explosive story of passion, deceit and anger.

Contract Love, written and directed by Zippy Okoth and co-written by Jean Akinyi, is a story of the power struggle between two long-time friends, Harry and Chris, and a young girl Anita who falls in love with the latter.

Anita is torn between Tom’s love and Chris’ affections and the chance of a better life.

As a student from a humble background waiting to join the school of law, Anita accepts the job of taking care of Chris, through her boyfriend Tom.

Chris suffers a heart condition that leaves Harry in charge of the company. Harry, out of greed, plots to take over by lying, backstabbing and blackmail.

BEST DIRECTOR

Harry takes advantage of Chris’ trust, Tom’s naivety and Anita’s lack of money to get his way.

Tom is manipulated by Harry into thinking he has more to gain if and when he sides with him against Chris.

Zippy, who won the best Director at the 2015 Sanaa Theatre Awards, where her musical Tigo scooped the best production and another four awards, is known for her passion for infusing authentic Kenyan music into her persuasive lines.

And Contact Love seems to be something of a delight that will live up to the billing.

“I thought it a good idea to build on our success last year and entertain our audience with more content,” said the ever jovial Zippy who also teaches music at Kenyatta University.

“I think it will be a good opportunity to have the audience mirror themselves when they get to watch it,” says Zippy, who this time round is working with a spare cast.

The play premieres at Phoenix Theatre tomorrow.