World Theatre Day: Mombasa leads Kenya in celebrating magic of performance

As the world raises the curtains on World Theatre Day, performers, artists, and theatre lovers unite to celebrate the power of storytelling.

Held annually on March 27, this global occasion marks the culmination of World Theatre Week, a tribute to the performing arts' creativity, resilience, and transformative impact.

In Kenya, Mombasa is alive with electrifying performances. The Little Theatre Club (LTC) has been at the heart of the celebrations, hosting captivating plays and storytelling sessions.

Baraza Media Lab has brought together poetry lovers, while Alliance Française Mombasa has filled the air with soul-stirring jazz.

Meanwhile, Jukwaa Arts Production has held an intimate art cocktail event, and the Children Art Zone in Bangladesh Hall has welcomed budding creatives, immersing them in the magic of theatre.

Among the voices championing the movement is Oliver Maganga, popularly known as Cardiac Poet, who has played a crucial role in mobilising resources and providing platforms for fellow artists.

To him, World Theatre Day is more than a celebration, it is a moment to honour the dedication of those who have devoted their lives to the stage.

“This is the time to recognise and celebrate thespians who pour their hearts into the craft,” he says. “Theatre is a powerful force, yet it often goes unnoticed.”

Oliver took the opportunity to commend some of his favourite theatre artists, including poet and actor John Mumba (Masufuria), performing artist Martina Ayoro, and singer Mary Favour, whose passion and dedication continue to inspire.

Beyond Kenya, the world stage is set in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the International Theatre Institute (ITI), founded in 1961, is hosting the year’s biggest celebrations under the theme ‘Theatre and a Culture of Peace’.

Theatre professionals, institutions, and policymakers are engaging in workshops, discussions, and collaborations to highlight theatre’s role in fostering dialogue, understanding, and cultural preservation.

However, while most theatres across the world are bustling with activity, Nakuru Players Theatre remains silent.

For the first time in years, its doors are closed due to an ongoing audit, pausing its usual poetry and drama performances.

Still, creativity thrives behind the scenes, as arts manager and director Barbushe Maina leads rehearsals for ‘The Journey Through Africa’, a musical set to tour Barcelona and Italy later this year.

“Theatre reflects society, it allows me to use my artistic skills to interpret life,” he says, remaining optimistic about the theatre’s reopening.

Meanwhile, young talents are taking centre stage. Braeburn School recently staged a musical adaptation of ‘Beetlejuice’ at its Gitanga Road theatre, with Pierce Williams, the Head of Drama, describing theatre as an extension of children’s natural creativity.

At the Kenya Cultural Centre, Kevin Kimani, Manager for Programs and Business Development, emphasises the need for institutions to recognise theatre as a tool for education, activism, and economic growth.

“Theatre continues to be a vital force in our society, yet it remains underappreciated in many spaces,” he says. “Today is a wake-up call for governments to invest in it as a driver for social change.”

Even as the official celebrations end, performances continue across Kenya. Nakuru’s Agora will host the poetry performance ‘Kichwani’ on March 30, while Nairobi audiences can look forward to ‘The Mayor’ at Brookhouse Karen Prep (March 27–28) and ‘A Fisherman’s Dream’ by the UOW Eagles Drama Club (March 30).

From Brazil’s grand theatres to Kenya’s intimate performance spaces, World Theatre Day remains a powerful reminder that the stage is more than entertainment, it is a mirror of society, a voice for the unheard, and a force for transformation.