Too Early for Birds
Too Early for Birds is a play on the original name of this blog, Too Late for Worms. Our goal here has always been to be a campfire around which we can share stories. A campfire online, and on a stage offline.
Get in touch with us on:
Email: tooearlyforbirds[at]gmail.com
THE STORIES SO FAR
Every civilization exists on stories. Legends weave the fabric that shapes how people view themselves, their history and it defines their esteem and dignity. It is through stories that countries form perceptions of heroes and instances that defined their futures, failures and successes.
On May 17th 2017, Too Early For Birds premiered before a full house at the Kenya National Theatre. It was a live performance of some of the stories here, brought to life by a brilliant cast.
Edition 2 featured the same people in the same venue, but an entirely new set of stories. Instead of a single evening, this time we did it over an entire weekend on July 29th and 30th 2017.
Edition 3 followed in January 2018, and featured stories about criminals, villains, and heroes.
Edition 4, Dubbed TEFBrazen, was staged in July 2018 and featured an all female cast and crew. The Brazen Edition was scripted by Laura Ekumbo, Aleya Kassam and Anne Moraa, the three together going by the name, LAM. This edition was directed by Wanjiku Mwawuganga and Produced by Gathoni Kimuyu.
Edition 5, dubbed TEFB: Tom Mboya Edition, was staged in October 2019 at the Visa Oshwal Community Center. It was directed by Mugambi Nthiga. This edition featured stories from the life and death of Tom J. Mboya. The juicy, the astounding, the jarring, the tantalising stories as written by Ngartia, Magunga Williams, Mercy Mbithe, Hellen Masido and Wanjiku Mwawuganga.
Main Cast
Ngartia: A performance artist, poet, writer and baby-stepping filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. His performances blend storytelling with poetry. He goes by the moniker “Ngartia” while performing. This, he insists, contrived the art that lives within him. His pieces come in Gikuyu, Kimeru, English and Sheng’ (and bad puns). Ngartia is also one of the founders of www.storyzetu.com
Abu: Possessing an admirable skill, he writes on self discovery while constantly challenging pre-conceived notions of the unaccommodating, sometimes hostile, society he finds himself in. In every written piece, Abu seeks to spread hope, self evaluation and love for self. All in effort to inspire his readers to do the same and become thoughtful members of the society. Not only that, he is an electric performer who absorbs attention with his soft spoken voice reinforced by profound bursts of gestures.
Laura Ekumbo:
Critical Response
- Review: Abu Sense stuns in “Too Early For Birds Badassery Edition” [Link]|| By Munene Mwarania.
- Too Early for Birds Review: A Creative and Bold Take on Kenya’s History [Link]|| By Mwende Ngao
- #MoreThanABlog: Owaahh & Too Early For Birds (2/2) [Link]|| By Esther Nshakira
- THEATRE REVIEW: Life and times of Tom Mboya reincarnated on stage [Link]|| By Doreen Wamugunda
- BEHIND THE CURTAIN : Too Early For Birds [Link]|| By Mildred Sakina and Collins Nabiswa
Awards
- Best Production , Sanaa Theatre Awards 2018
- Best Play in English, Sanaa Theatre Awards 2018
- Maya Angelou Award (Best Production on Women’s Rights and Gender Based Violence), Sanaa Theatre Awards 2018
Owaahh, 2018
One story is good,
till Another is told.
