Kabaka graces ebonies’ premiere music, dance and drama

Artistic fusion. Just like most Ebonies productions, their latest offering The Drum Beat - Enguliko combines music, a compilation of several old and new Ebonies’ songs, well choreographed dance moves and drama along which the storyline is weaved.

In a motorcade, he was slowly driven down, through Colville Street. The convoy was led by a police car and then a double-cabin pick-up of traditionally-dressed soldiers locally known as Abamboowa (Kabaka’s guards) smartly clad in traditional regalia of backcloth.

His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II was arriving at Theatre La Bonita where he had accepted to preside over the premiere of a new play, The Drum Beat- Enguliko, by The Ebonies.

The Kabaka was warmly welcomed with earnest excitement of deafening ululations and the strong sound of drums. Smartly clad in a blue suit, stripped white shirt and marching multi-coloured tie, he elegantly stepped out of his car.

Waiting to walk him to the theatre was The Ebonies’ Managing Director, John Katende and Buganda Kingdom’s Minister for Information, Lukiiko and Cabinet Affairs, Charles Peter Mayiga.
Before he got in, he stopped for about two minutes as he waved to his subjects as singer Bobi Wine sang Nyimbila Kabaka Wange. He proceeded to the theatre amid observance of security.
He then symbolically cut the tape to re-open Theatre La Bonita, which had been closed for renovation and walked on to the theatre to watch the premiere of the play.

Enguliko, the play’s title, is a Luganda word for the sound of the drum used for entertainment in Buganda Kingdom. The Ebonies production outfit has built a play storyline around this. They use the strong portrayal of the Enguliko cultural celebration to represent and rejoice Buganda’s culture. Other cultural fusions are also represented as you will watch in the play.
The Drum Beat-Enguliko will therefore take you through a uniquely pleasant journey including those classic original Ebonies hits, newer compositions by the group as well as an insight into where the Ebonies are headed.

It is a clever blend of live band music, drama as well as intelligently choreographed dances. The Ebonies’ classics include songs like Twalina Omukwano Negufa, The Drum Beat, Akamuli Ka Rosa, Munyambe Ntukeyo, Omupiira and Lwaki Otaga, among other songs.

This was His majesty’s second visit to Theatre La Bonita as chief guest, the first one was when he officially opened it, six years ago, in 2007. Several amenities like a new giant screen, lights and a walk-way from the VIP section to the stage have been introduced.

The Drum Beat-Enguliko is another play conceived, written and directed by playwright JWK Ssembajjwe and similar to previous productions which are largely musicals fused with societal issues.

It premieres at a time when The Ebonies mark 35 years on stage and that partly explains fanfare of the Friday do where part of Colville Street was closed off as the cast was welcomed in pomp and glamour, in Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Then there were the skaters and bikers with skimpily-dressed girls to add to the glamour, before the real action began on stage.

rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com