A story of sisters, secrets, and suspense
Bound by blood, torn by truth.
When scandal strikes a celebrated visual artist and her celebrity husband, she turns to her sister for solace. But what begins as a sisterly rescue soon descends into a tense confrontation — one that unearths years of jealousy, buried resentment, and half-truths too sharp to ignore.
In Of Cords and Discord, playwright and director Martin Kigondu draws us into a world where love meets betrayal, and where family becomes the stage for truth in this new stage thriller starring Celestine Gachuhi and Mary Mwikali, running at Braeburn’s Austin Theatre this November.
Celestine Gachuhi and Mary Mwikali in Of Cords and Discord, directed by Martin Kigondu. Photo:@ _Pichad
A WHISPER IN THE DARK
Joan (Mary Mwikali) is a celebrated visual artist whose life begins to crack after her Afrojazz musician husband’s scandal makes headlines. Seeking refuge, she calls her sister Jane (Celestine Gachuhi) to be by her side.
But what starts as a reunion between sisters quickly descends into something far darker — a tangle of emotion, memory, and betrayal. Secrets slip out, and with each revelation the calm domestic space becomes a psychological battleground.
Every family has that one secret no one talks about. In Of Cords and Discord, those secrets explode.
This isn’t just a dark, thrilling night at the theatre; it’s a celebration of strength. Of women who confront chaos and rise above it.”
NOT JUST A THRILLER — A CELEBRATION OF STRENGTH
It’s easy to call Of Cords and Discord a slow-burn thriller, but that would undersell it. The play’s real impact lies in its tenderness. It’s about the quiet endurance of women, about sisterhood and survival, and about the cost of love when truth demands everything.
If you’ve ever loved fiercely or lost deeply, this story will feel painfully familiar — and that’s what makes it unforgettable. 
Martin Kigondu. Photo:@ _Pichad
THE DIRECTOR’S TAKE
Martin Kigondu, the award-winning playwright, filmmaker, and producer behind Love Bites and Matchstick Men, returns with a work that fuses cinematic tension with emotional realism.
Recognised as one of Kenya’s finest theatre minds, Kigondu has earned multiple accolades, including Best Director and Best Producer at the 2024 Kenya Theatre Awards, and continues to shape the country’s theatre scene with storytelling that is both intellectual and deeply human.
I was challenged to stage a female-led, action-packed drama — one that carried tangible tension, relatable stories, and psychological depth similar to Matchstick Men. Of Cords and Discord is my ode to the women in all their forms: their strength, their vulnerability, and every shade in between.” — Martin Kigondu
THE FACES OF DISCORD
Celestine Gachuhi as Jane
Returning to the stage after her breakout in Selina, Celestine Gachuhi delivers a performance that’s both haunting and grounded. As Jane, she captures the raw ache of a woman torn between loyalty and survival — a portrayal that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Mary Mwikali as Joan
A Sanaa Theatre Award winner, Mary Mwikali brings electric vulnerability to Joan — an artist unravelling under the weight of fame, love, and the lies that hold her world together. Her performance is poised and powerful, her silence as gripping as her outbursts.
The calm exterior hides the toll of a life lived under scrutiny.”
This show is a reminder that truth is never clean, love is rarely simple, and sometimes the most dangerous battles are the ones fought across the dinner table. Of Cords and Discord is everything good theatre should be: unsettling, intimate, and utterly human.
SHOW DETAILS
📍 Venue: Braeburn School – Austin Theatre, Gitanga Road
📅 Dates:
- Fri 14 Nov 2025 – 7:30 PM
- Sat 15 Nov 2025 – 6 PM
- Sun 16 Nov 2025 – 3 PM & 6 PM
🎟 Tickets
📲 Mpesa Till 8670210
📞 +254 115 555 000 | +254 742 876 517
📧 [email protected]