Festival to turn new chapter on book marketing

The Hay Festival held in the UK every May attracts up to 150, 000 people ranging from presidents to authors. 

Keen on attracting the kind of fanaticism exhibited at rugby matches, StoryMoja Hay pitches tent at the Impala grounds, the home of Kenyan rugby.

The main stage for live performances and competitions will be on the grounds as well as 12 themed tents in which 12 events lasting 90 minutes will be held concurrently.  Each of the events will be graced by star guests in different fields.

One of the attractions will be a theatre performance by a troupe that recently visited Hampstead theatre in London.

A Kenyan production by the StoryMoja, Cut off My Tongue poetically tells the Kenyan story—including corruption, heritage and leadership or lack of it. There is also a dose of romance and love-related issues.

Based on the poetry of Sitawa Namwalie, the refreshing poetry performance blends dance into narratives and dance to tell a story— something that had gained ground in the country especially in the experimental era of the late Ugandan poet Okot P’ Bitek and other poets of that generation.

Refreshing performance of this nature are rare in Nairobi theatres these days, with most theatre stuff being foreign dramas.

Although performed by local amateur performers, when it travelled to the UK, Cut off My Tongue still managed to attract attention.

Delicate balance
Although their steps are uncoordinated and acting a little immature, with the performers struggling to keep the delicate balance between the facial expressions, movement and recitals, the performers tell a wholesome story.

The artistes—most of whom were stepping on stage for the first time—sometimes exaggerated the act, watering down the overall impact.

Even with the lobby pieces that permeated through the performances, it still struck a chord with the audiences.

Though highly publicised in earlier communications, Wole Soyinka will not be coming to the festival.

The Nigerian Nobel Prize Laureate whose deep writing, often mythical poetics, firebrand politics and groundbreaking thoughts have earned him literary friends and critics was scheduled to give a talk.