Nelly (Sharon Cherono), an older woman, enters a romantic affair with Nun (Victor Koech), a recent graduate struggling financially.
She seems confident, but underneath, she longs to feel loved and desired. She sees Nun as a chance to feel young again, while she offers him financial support and stability.
The Cougar is slated for April 9 and 10 at Harambee Hall, Kenyatta University, in Nairobi.
Written and directed by the founder of Chisaina Arts, Victor Muyekwe, this production marks four years of the theatre production company in the theatre and restages this 2022 production.
Earlier, Nun had taken advice from his friend Jeff (Victor Githinji) to accept Nelly’s advances as a way out of financial struggles. However, he doesn’t know that she is a long-time friend of his mother.
This takes place when he is still in a long-term relationship with his campus girlfriend, Calmer, whom Jeff secretly admires. Torn between ambition and loyalty, Nun begins to make choices that lead to a chain of consequences.
Cherono says that her character is aware of the consequences, but she chooses to ignore them for her personal desires for validation and youthfulness.
The fact that she is a long-time friend of his mother introduces an internal conflict that makes her secretive and cautious.
“This secrecy creates constant pressure. The relationship feels unstable because the truth can destroy trust and relationships at any moment,” says Cherono.
As she deals with this internal conflict, Nun’s relationship with Calmer intensifies her calculated actions.
The age difference creates a power imbalance, with Nelly having financial and emotional control.
Cherono adds that Nelly’s humanity lies in her vulnerability, fear of ageing, loneliness, and need for love.
She is aware of what she is doing, but her emotions are strong enough to override her judgement. While Nun sees her not just as a lover but also as a financial solution. It results in an unequal but somewhat mutually beneficial relationship.
She discloses that balancing her strength with her vulnerability without making her seem either too cold or too desperate was a challenge to her as a performer.
Koech describes his character as initially confident and composed, believing that he is in control of his life and relationship with Calmer, though he feels insecure about his future.
Their relationship starts as affectionate, then he becomes emotionally distant and more receptive to Nelly’s advances.
The pursuit of financial stability for himself and his mother guides his choices.
“As the story progresses, Nun faces different pressures that push him into making difficult decisions. This makes it harder for him to think clearly or stay loyal to his original values,” Koech says.
Jeff arrives as a manipulative, gaslighting, and emotionally fraught friend who plays an important role in Nun’s decisions. His jealousy and obsession with Calmer make him manipulate situations to push Nun away from his girlfriend and towards Nelly’s arms.
“His view on love is possessive and obsessive. He strongly believes that Calmer belongs to him; therefore, he will do anything to be with her,” Githinji explains.
Cherono feels that the story challenges the audience to examine how jealousy in friendships can lead to conflicts and questions whether Nelly’s actions come from love or selfish need.