Drama fete reaches fever pitch as top quality plays take centre stage

St. Teresa Gatura Girls perform a creative cultural dance. [George Orido, Standard]

Defending champions Riara Springs Girls School from Nairobi on Saturday gave a good account of themselves with the play, Blooms in Turmoil directed by Justin Ong'wen.

The moving story of Virtue Girls High School unfolded as a symbolic flower garden, meticulously tended by the wise, nurturing Madam Flora.

The diverse student body is represented as vibrant blooms, each adding its unique hue to the overall beauty of the educational landscape as characters Rose (Stephanie Kiragu) and Lily (Bianca Danielle) are drawn to symbolise an orchard of flowers.

Lily and Rose were selected as a team to represent their school in the prestigious national Mathematics contest - an event the entire institution has fervently aimed to conquer under Madam Flora's stewardship.

However, the diverging career aspirations of Lily and Rose not only strain their bond, but also cast a shadow on their school's ambitions.

Sixteen-year-old Lily is driven by the desire to follow in the footsteps of her late father, a renowned mathematician, but Rose opts to deviate from their shared science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) career path.

The play performed early morning kept the audience on the edge of their seats. It is facing stiff competition from many good productions at this year's Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.

State House Girls from Nairobi delved into matters of child labour and how it affects education in the world-famous tourist destination, Sereni Game Reserves.

The plot is about a young girl whose father would rather she get a job at one of the many sprawling safari hotels and camps dotted throughout the reserve.

But she is interested in pursuing a career in college. The tussle divides the community down the middle as those supporting her resolve the way the community has been degraded to 'Tourist Attraction' status as opposed to citizens involved in conservation.

This standoff has put them in a disadvantaged position where well-paying jobs are given to non-locals because only they are qualified.

The audience had their ribs cracked when a response by Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen that has since gone viral on social media was injected into the play.

"I am looking for a job," says a desperate Sereni resident at a tourist resort and she is told, "Hapa hatupeani kazi."

Host Kangaru School presented a play It's Games Time that exposes how leaders exploit the talents of young people for selfish gains.

The play depicts how young people are duped into tournaments which do not benefit them but instead serve the interests of leaders and organisers.

Along the way, the former gets frustrated and the situation deteriorates to hopelessness before intervention by authorities.

The school that has been a good host alongside the University of Embu also performed a modern dance as well titled Victorious Thirst.

The dance creates awareness on the health hazards associated with consuming untreated and contaminated water.

The festival will reach its peak tomorrow as the winners gala opens on Tuesday through to Wednesday.