Ngũgĩ’s ‘revolutionary’ classic back after nearly 50 years - BBC Africa

The Trial of Dedan Kimathi — a groundbreaking play by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Micere Mugo — is now back on stage at Kenya’s National Theatre for the first time in nearly 50 years. Set during Kenya’s colonial period, if follows Mau Mau field marshal Dedan Kimathi, who was captured by the British in 1956 and executed a year later. He is portrayed as a revolutionary hero, and not as a criminal, as colonial criminal records often did. Its return couldn’t be more timely. Ngũgĩ, one of Africa’s most influential writers, died this year — and this revival feels like more than just a tribute. It’s a powerful reflection on the struggles he spent his life documenting, some of which resonate till today: the crimes of colonialism, police brutality, youth disillusionment, ethnic division and the meddling of Western powers in African affairs. #Ngũgĩ #TheTrialofDedanKimathi #NgũgĩwaThiongo #Africanliterature Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/