Walking into Old Town Hall in Nakuru for my not first theatre experience, I had only one expectation: to have fun. However, what unfolded during Nyokabi Macharia’s Index One was an evening of storytelling, laughter, reflection and a renewed appreciation for the performing arts.

Nevertheless, the moment I stepped into the hall, the overwhelming turnout caught me by surprise. The venue was packed, setting the stage for what would turn out to be an unforgettable performance.

The stage design was equally impressive, with carefully arranged props, lighting, sound and costumes working together to create an immersive theatrical experience. Everything felt intentional, drawing the audience into the world being created on stage.

Then came the star of the evening, Nyokabi Macharia, whose performance demonstrated the power of storytelling when talent meets preparation. Comparing her to Hollywood stars such as Lupita Nyong’o would not be far-fetched, considering her ability to command the stage and hold the audience’s attention.

Through her narration, singing, dancing and seamless coordination, Nyokabi made the story feel personal. Rather than simply watching events unfold, I found myself emotionally invested in the character’s journey, as though I were experiencing the highs and lows alongside her.

At its heart, Index One follows a young woman navigating education, love, career ambitions and the difficult realities of adulthood. Despite the challenges she encounters, her determination to build a better future remains central to the story.

She excels in her final high school examinations and secures admission to one of the country’s leading universities. While pursuing her studies, she receives a scholarship to the United Kingdom, where she balances her education with a part-time job. Along the way, she also experiences love, although the relationship eventually ends in heartbreak.

Nyokabi Macharia (in brown) with cast members during Index One play at Old Town Hall

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

However, life takes another turn when she returns home following the death of her grandfather. Although grieving is difficult, she must find the strength to move forward and rebuild her life.

Unfortunately, her qualifications do not immediately translate into the career opportunities she anticipated. Instead, she encounters an unexpected barrier when potential employers consider her “too expensive.” Eventually, she secures an opportunity, but her journey towards achieving her ambitions remains a work in progress.

Beyond the entertainment, the play raises questions about education, unemployment, relationships and the realities young people face when transitioning into adulthood. It also reflects the frustrations of returning home with international exposure and high expectations, only to discover that the opportunities available may not match one's qualifications.

The audience remained engaged throughout the performance, responding to the actors and participating in the experience. Moreover, the sold-out show demonstrated the appetite for theatre among Nakuru residents when given an opportunity to experience well-executed productions.

For Sylvia Wanja, a creative from Nakuru, the homecoming was particularly significant because of what it represented for the local arts industry.

“Having the homecoming of Index One was an awe-inspiring moment, and it was a chance to show that there is space for creatives,” Wanja says, noting that the sold-out performance demonstrated the demand for theatre in the city.

She observes that Nakuru's creative industry continues to face sustainability challenges, with many artists who develop their craft locally eventually leaving in search of better opportunities.

Consequently, she believes that bringing productions of this calibre to the city can help strengthen the local creative ecosystem by demonstrating that audiences are willing to support the arts.

“People want to experience this craft, people want to experience this art, but there is a very big missing link that we need to fill by ensuring that we do actually meet the standards,” she says.

Wanja further highlights the importance of collaboration, explaining that productions such as Index One could inspire creatives to work together, improve the quality of their work and build a stronger theatre culture in Nakuru.

As a city recognised for its creative energy, she believes that hosting more theatrical productions would reinforce Nakuru's identity as a creative hub while creating opportunities for emerging and established artists.

For me, Index One was more than just a theatre experience. It was a reminder that live performance has a unique ability to bring stories to life, challenge perspectives and connect people through shared emotions. The production was memorable enough to make me want to experience it again.

As the Shorts from Africa team prepares to take the production to Nigeria for its first international tour, the Nakuru homecoming offers an encouraging reminder of what local audiences can embrace when creativity, collaboration and quality come together.

muthoniw813@gmail.com

Nyokabi Macharia’s ‘Index One’ performance reignites debate over Nakuru’s lack of theatre space

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Muthoni Wanjiku