Creatives seek alternative venues as Nakuru players' theatre remains closed

Five months into 2025, the Nakuru Players Theatre remains inactive, leaving theatre enthusiasts with limited options for weekend entertainment.

However, this lull has opened doors for emerging artists, particularly young creatives, to showcase their talents in alternative venues across Nakuru.

One such venue is Nakuru old Town Hall, which has become a hub for training and performances under the Theatre Fiesta Program—an initiative traditionally hosted at the Players Theatre. 

Artists are currently undergoing training there, and the venue will be busy this weekend with a line-up of diverse performances.

On Friday, audiences can catch Drums of a New Dawn and The Parable of the Mislaid. Saturday will feature Upheaval and A Ripple of a Decade, while Sunday brings Past Chains and What If, the latter staged by A Bunch of Idiots Production.

Last month, Lohana Hall, typically known for hosting Indian ans South Sudanese events, welcomed a rare theatrical performance with Stuart Nash’s Mgonjwa Mwitu. 

These alternative venues are injecting fresh energy into Nakuru’s creative scene, especially in the wake of the Players Theatre’s closure, which has had a notable impact on local artists who depended on the space for their craft.

While this revival is encouraging, it also highlights the urgent need for government investment in public creative spaces to supplement the limited private options available.

For now, the community watches and waits, hoping these new efforts will revive Nakuru’s once-vibrant theatre scene.

It's been five months since a Nakuru-based production group last staged a play in the city.