The Writers
Lizzie Jago
Lizzie Jago wrote the script for the musical Kesho Amahoro whilst living and teaching in Nairobi, Kenya. The story is based on her own experiences as an NGO worker with the Tear Fund organisation in the refugee camps of Northern Tanzania during the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide.
Lizzie had written and directed many musicals, nativities and playscripts and composed songs for children before, but Kesho Amahoro was the first full-scale musical she had written with a serious message, based on true events, for a cast of over 100 children aged 9-13.
Lizzie collaborated with Anna Rusbatch to compose the music and write the lyrics. Together they discovered a great creative partnership.
Lizzie had written and directed many musicals, nativities and playscripts and composed songs for children before, but Kesho Amahoro was the first full-scale musical she had written with a serious message, based on true events, for a cast of over 100 children aged 9-13.
Lizzie collaborated with Anna Rusbatch to compose the music and write the lyrics. Together they discovered a great creative partnership.
Anna Rusbatch
Whilst living in Kenya, Anna Rusbatch collaborated closely with Lizzie Jago to compose the music and lyrics for Kesho Amahoro.
Anna has been composing music and writing songs for many years, both personally and professionally, however Kesho Amahoro was Anna's first fully scored original stage musical. Anna is currently teaching music in England.
Anna has been composing music and writing songs for many years, both personally and professionally, however Kesho Amahoro was Anna's first fully scored original stage musical. Anna is currently teaching music in England.
Chicken Knitters International Theatre Company
Lizzie Jago and Anna Rusbatch founded the Chicken Knitters ITC in 2009 in Kenya. They are passionate educators, composers and directors and strive to attain high standards of musical and theatrical excellence through the creation and production of youth operas and stage musicals for children, that raise awareness of relevant social issues, historical events and true stories.
2009-10 - Kesho Amahoro (Peace Tomorrow)
2010 - an alternative African Nativity musical, entitled Mtoto Mfalme (The Child King)
2011 - Albatross - Version 1 performed at Braeburn Theatre, Kenya
2013 - Kesho Amahoro performed at the Rose Theatre Kingston for the International Youth Arts Festival
2014 - Albatross - Wings of Freedom performed at the Rose Theatre, for the International Youth Arts Festival
2015 - Kesho Amahoro performed by the Youth Theatre of Kenya at Braeburn Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya
2016 - Albatross - Wings of Freedom performed by the Youth Theatre of Kenya at the Braeburn Theatre
2009-10 - Kesho Amahoro (Peace Tomorrow)
2010 - an alternative African Nativity musical, entitled Mtoto Mfalme (The Child King)
2011 - Albatross - Version 1 performed at Braeburn Theatre, Kenya
2013 - Kesho Amahoro performed at the Rose Theatre Kingston for the International Youth Arts Festival
2014 - Albatross - Wings of Freedom performed at the Rose Theatre, for the International Youth Arts Festival
2015 - Kesho Amahoro performed by the Youth Theatre of Kenya at Braeburn Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya
2016 - Albatross - Wings of Freedom performed by the Youth Theatre of Kenya at the Braeburn Theatre