Butere Girls Withdraw from “Echoes of War” Performance Amid Festival Tensions.
On Thursday morning, Butere Girls School faced an unexpected setback when they refused to perform the Echoes of War play. The students, who were eager to showcase their talents, were deprived of a public address system, a crucial tool that had been consistently used during the National Drama Festivals. The absence of this equipment led the girls to abandon their performance plans.
Instead of their anticipated play, the students stood on stage and sang the National Anthem. Emotions ran high, and they left the stage in a state of distress. The decision not to perform seemed fueled by multiple frustrations: the lack of proper equipment, the absence of their play’s directors, and the realization that they had not undergone any rehearsals for the past three weeks.
The Echoes of War play had already drawn significant attention due to its exploration of Kenya’s governance issues and the 2024 Gen Z-led protests. Initially disqualified during the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances, the play was later reinstated following a High Court ruling, which ordered its inclusion in the national lineup.
However, the controversy surrounding the play deepened the previous day. On Wednesday, its scriptwriter, Cleophas Malala, a former Senator, was denied entry to the venue at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru. As the situation escalated, Malala claimed that the police had barricaded his vehicle and threatened to arrest him. This was followed by an intense standoff, with police dispersing journalists outside the school with teargas.
Thursday brought further restrictions. Both the public and media were denied access to the festival venue. There were no cameras allowed inside the hall where performances were taking place, and media personnel, including KICD and other partners, were instructed to pack up their equipment. The situation became even more restrictive as the authorities made it clear that there would be no video, photography, or live streaming of the event.
In summary, the Echoes of War play was engulfed in a series of disruptions that affected both its performance and media coverage, leaving many questions unanswered. The Butere Girls’ refusal to perform highlighted the tension and frustration that continued to surround the festival.
“They are saying no audience, no video, no photography and no shooting at all. KICD won’t stream live even local productions for partners have been barred from shooting. No cameras are approved,” personnel who had been providing coverage of the festivals told Citizen Digital.
Butere Girls Withdraw from “Echoes of War” Performance Amid Festival Tensions
Follow Teachers Updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Get in touch with our editors at [email protected].
Discussion about this post