The trends and social function of contemporary urban theatre: a case of Nairobi

Abstract

This study focuses on theatre development in Nairobi. Researchers have put more effort in the analysis of drama texts hence the endeavour to change the perspective in this study.

The study critically examines the various objectives of theatre groups in Nairobi. The study also assesses whether or not the objectives have been achieved. The assumption is that strong objectives and the desire to fulfill them characterize stability in theatre. Theatre group management, organization and the problems they face are discussed. The study recommends various steps that should be undertaken to make theatre stable and functional in the urban areas of Kenya.

Chief among the findings of the study was that more than 90 per cent of the amateur groups that are formed in Nairobi break up within two years of their formation. The presence of a theatre hall in a residential estate greatly contributed to the formation of theatre groups in the estate. Estates that have no halls scarcely had any residential theatre group.

This study recommends that the local government and other interested groups help to increase the theatre hall s in convenient places and estates. Also theatre should be popularized through advertisements and other ways in order to attract sizeable funding from sponsors and patrons.