KENYA / POLITICS / SHOWBIZ: US election: Musical celebrating life of US presidential candidate Barack Obama staged in Kenya, to mixed reactions

Record ID: 361857

  • Title: KENYA / POLITICS / SHOWBIZ: US election: Musical celebrating life of US presidential candidate Barack Obama staged in Kenya, to mixed reactions
  • Date: 3rd November 2008
  • Summary: SCENES FROM THE MUSICAL - OBAMA GIVING SPEECH/ DANCING
  • Embargoed: 18th November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAYXN47PUEJTGZY2AHP4WISR2J
  • Story Text: Obama, the Musical which opened at the Kenya National Theatre on Sunday (November 2) is a celebration of African heroes. The play tells the story of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
    'Obamamania' has swept across Africa particularly in Kenya where Obama has family roots. Obama's father was a Kenyan and met his mother when he was a student in the U.S..
    Director and scriptwriter, George Orido says Obama's life story is inspirational especially for Kenyans after post-election violence killed about 1300 people and displaced 300,000 others at the start of the year.

    "I think his story is compelling in many ways and one of them is that he's got this very important message of peace, uniting people and the politics of hope, the politics of possibilities, against cynicism and I think in Kenya today that's very relevant," he said.
    Although, the production does not predict a winner for the U.S.
    election, to be held on November 4, some audience members who attended the premiere say they hope that an Obama win will help take the musical abroad.

    "It's a good concept because if Obama takes White House, this production will go further. It can be performed in Europe, it can be performed in London, other countries. It will be a good production for a Kenyan troupe.
    It will go beyond borders," said Peter Njagi, an audience member.
    However, some were more cynical and were not impressed with Orido's production.

    "It's very difficult not to be sceptical about a musical called 'Obama,' a couple of days before the US elections. It feels very much like they're cashing in on what's going on. I mean the play, it had good music, it had a good band, it had good dancing but my goodness the script is as dead as John Mccain's presidential bid, it's ridiculous. I think it's a real shame," said David Kuria, another audience member.
    The musical blends various genres of dance and music and uses African oral narrative traditions to tell the story of the man who could become the first black president of the US.
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