Ngartia's 'DaiVerse': Theatrical masterpiece born from pain, protest, and poetry

When Ngartia made his long-awaited return to the stage with DaiVerse, no one anticipated the electric energy that would follow.

The stage production, which combined poetry, spoken word, storytelling, music, and theatre, was already set to be one of 2024's most exciting shows.

However, fate had other plans. On the eve of the technical rehearsal, Ngartia found himself behind bars after being arrested during the Gen Z protests that rocked Nairobi in June.

By the time he was released, the spirit of rebellion was already brewing in the streets — and it seamlessly flowed into the theatre.

The charged audience, fresh from the streets, brought their chants and revolutionary energy to the stage, transforming DaiVerse into more than just a performance. It became a living, breathing reflection of the times.

This marked Ngartia's triumphant return to the stage after a nine-year hiatus, a journey that earned him the coveted title of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue at the Kenya Theatre Awards.

DaiVerse also scooped Best Spoken Word Production and Best Production, cementing its place as a groundbreaking show.

Ngartia, co-founder of the theatrical collective Too Early for Birds, has always been deeply rooted in Kenyan history and storytelling.

For DaiVerse, he curated a collection of poetry pieces written between 2011 and 2024, blending them with music and theatre to create an immersive experience.

"The intention was to put together a show for my poetry collection. With the help of producers Shiko Ngure and Ciru Njoroge, who funded the project, and the brilliant direction of Nyokabi Macharia, we transformed these words into a powerful performance," Ngartia reflects.

The show featured 12 poetry pieces in both Sheng’ and English, exploring themes of fear, disillusionment, sex work, and the celebration of poetry itself.

Each piece stood as a story on its own, yet collectively, they painted a vivid picture of the Kenyan experience.

What made DaiVerse truly unique was the timing. The second run in June coincided with the Gen Z protests, turning the political pieces into a mirror of the struggle happening on the streets.

"It felt like we had been in rehearsals with the audience," Ngartia recalls. "People came directly from the protests to the theatre. The energy was raw and unfiltered."

Ngartia’s artistic journey has been shaped by personal experiences and deep emotional exploration. In DaiVerse, he channeled the pain of his childhood and the isolation felt during the COVID-19 pandemic into pieces like Friends and Family.

"This was the first time I truly explored my craft as an actor within a poetry performance," he says.

His earlier work, Losing Grip, staged in 2015, was a stepping stone. However, DaiVerse allowed him to fully embrace his identity as a performer and storyteller.

Drawing inspiration from Kenya’s rich tradition of oral literature, Ngartia believes live performance adds a unique force to poetry.

"Poetry is older than writing. It began as verbal and physical performance around fires. Bringing poetry to the stage gives it a different life force that connects with our humanity."

Ngartia attributes much of DaiVerse's success to collaboration. From working with musicians who brought magic to the performance to teaming up with directors and producers who understood the vision, the project was a collective effort.

"Nyokabi held a full dress rehearsal and restructured the show to cut down on time. The musicians, spoken word artists, and the audience itself played a role in shaping the final performance," he says.

Audience feedback was instrumental in boosting Ngartia’s confidence for future projects like Civic Canvas, a collaboration with Baraza Media Lab that explores artistic expressions of civic participation.

As Ngartia looks ahead, he envisions blending theatre, film, and poetry into new creative forms. He is currently working on adapting theatre performances into TV series, inspired by shows like Fleabag.

With a background in Theatre Arts and Film from Kenyatta University, Ngartia’s storytelling roots run deep.

Influenced by legends like Ogutu Muraya, and inspired by Kenya’s golden era of music and poetry from artists like E-Sir and Kalamashaka, he aims to push boundaries in the art scene.

"My family played a huge role in shaping my love for storytelling," he shares. "From my grandmother's folktales to my aunts’ love for Gikuyu radio storytelling, I was surrounded by stories growing up."

Ngartia’s return to the stage through DaiVerse is more than a comeback, it’s a statement. In a time when Kenyan youth are finding their voice through protests and art, his work captures the spirit of the moment.

With upcoming projects like Ruruma, which explores imposter syndrome and self-doubt, and the revival of Losing Grip to mark its ten-year anniversary, Ngartia is proving that poetry and performance can be powerful tools for social commentary and personal healing.

As he puts it, "Pursue the ideas you might be shying away from. That’s where the magic lies."