Drama treads line between politics and comedy

Though the saying, “Never judge a book by its cover” is one that is hard to forget, ignoring it is inevitable when choosing a book, movie and in this case deciding on whether to watch or not to watch the play ‘Kiss No More’.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012
The play faces up the question of morals in the life of a politician. Net photo.

Though the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover” is one that is hard to forget, ignoring it is inevitable when choosing a book, movie and in this case deciding on whether to watch or not to watch the play ‘Kiss No More’. It is an intriguing title and the fact that it is a church production makes one the more curious to watch it. The indirect title has a clever ring to it that draws you to the play – the play writer Kenneth ‘Pablo’ Kimuli deserves credit for that.But like Joshua Harris’ book ‘I Kissed Dating Good Bye’, the title ‘Kiss No More’ is a false illusion of what the play might be about. It is not about kissing or even fornication which will most likely come second in mind. Instead, the play is about general ills in society that are portrayed in a political set-up. Also, the fact that it is a church play may make you assume it is preachy but no it is not. In a plot so simple, you get to put the pieces together yourself.‘Kiss No More’, which was recently showed at National Theatre in Uganda, features a young Joseph Kisitu, commonly, called Kiss, a mayoral candidate and his roller coaster life. It starts at a point where Kiss’ opponents have turned to using a smear campaign. They have published and broadcast that Kiss is involved in an oil saga and insinuate that he stole public funds. Luckily for him, court clears him and before long, polls are favourable.Catch-22Kiss, the political figure wants to become a leader though he is not exemplary. Even when his dark deeds come to light, he is not willing to come clean because it puts him at risk of losing in the election.Agencies