After its first fifty years, the legendary Cleopatra Theatre in Malindi, to live up to its name that evokes a proud, never tamed and self-confident empress, deserves not only a ‘touch-up’ but also a second life under the sign of art and culture.
The building, inaugurated in 1973 at the behest of a local couple, for years performed plays, children's shows and lectures, before the advent of cinema (especially Indian Bollywood) on the Kenyan coast. After being ravaged by vandals in 1988, it was passionately put back on its feet for the first time, and was given a second life by broadcasting football matches and matinees for schools. The five hundred seats, however, became progressively empty after the arrival of satellite TV and mobile phones that ate away at the spirit of sharing and community.

Now an art-focused collective workshop based in Malindi, Maabara Atelier, with a number of collaborators has decided to transform the historic Cleopatra Theatre back to its original purpose.
‘Our aim is to provide a vibrant venue for performing arts, film and cultural events in the heart of Malindi,’ explains Martin Kaona, Art Manager of Maabara Atelier. ‘Currently, however, the theatre lacks an adequate sound and lighting system and we are focusing on a complete renovation, while we regularly organise theatre productions, film screenings and workshops.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Cleopatra Theatre, Maabara and its partners have ambitious ideas. They aim to stage four shows per calendar year, bringing diverse and engaging performances to the community, and at least five feature films per year, to promote the work of African artists and filmmakers to increase audience numbers and promote sustainable distribution.
This is in addition to organising workshops and community theatre and providing opportunities for local companies and collectives to produce and stage their own productions.

‘We are committed to partnering with local and international companies, performing arts organisations, individuals, as well as national and county government bodies, to bring this vision to life. Our mission is to breathe new life into the performing arts and film sectors, enriching the cultural fabric of Malindi, Watamu and the rest of Kilifi County and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem,’ explains Kaona.
Since Maabara and his partners started this venture last October, they have already staged Ogutu Muraya's play ‘What are the odds?’, which is in fact the first theatre production in Malindi since back in 2012. Last month also saw the screening of ‘Vuta N'kuvute’ (Tug of War), based on the award-winning novel by Zanzibarian writer Adam Shafi, a Tanzanian political drama set in the last years of British colonial Zanzibar. Art has been combined with wellness, thanks to the collaboration with Fela (Felix Njiru), who has already conducted a workshop on body movements, testing the essence and coordination of the participants, while exploring new ways of expression. Fela will return next July with an interesting workshop on wellness, combining Capoeira and Yoga, storytelling for a unique experience of fun, also for families with the collaboration of Leonidah Nanjala.
‘We believe that partnerships are essential to our success and we are looking for potential collaborators to join us on this exciting journey. We invite individuals and organisations to support us through sponsorships, event collaborations or other forms of assistance to help us realise our vision. Together, we can create a dynamic cultural hub that enriches the lives of residents and visitors,’ says Kaona.
For information and more, please write to maabarainitiative@gmail.com  
or call 0722554372
Or click on these links:

https://www.instagram.com/maabara_atelier/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080335082916

https://www.facebook.com/iMaabara/

https://www.youtube.com/@maabara_atelier
 

Or on those of the initiative's partners

Retro Publishing (_https://www.instagram.com/retroandcobookstore/_ and _https://www.instagram.com/malindi_afro_latin/_)

Mucii Pictures (_https://www.instagram.com/mucii_pictures/_)

TK Events (_https://www.instagram.com/malindi_events/_)

Mwembe Resort (_https://www.instagram.com/mwemberesort/_)