MATATA 

Scenography for MATATA performance 
“Poverty slap but we slap harder”
at Nordic Black Theater, Oslo 2025

Poverty Slaps, But We Slap Back Harder is a raw, honest celebration of survival, where hope refuses to die, and humor becomes a weapon against despair. It’s about people who build worlds out of nothing, about the courage to dance even when the music stops. This play captures the fight for survival, success, and identity—showing that even in the darkest corners, dreams can shine bright.
The dressable scenography was shaped based on the stories and descriptions I learned from Matata artists.  
2 tonnes of cloth borrowed and given back, from/to a second-hand clothing organization in Oslo.

On stage
Fredrick Milanya
Festus Mwenda
Richard Mathu
Marcus Ojiambo
Collins Milanya
Gordon Odhiambo

Director: Cliff A. Moustache
Script: MATATA and Cliff A. Moustache
Light designer: Theodoros Kyratzis
Scenographer: Jad El Khoury
Costume designer: Emmanuel Prempeh
Projection Design: Ceng Teng Liew
Video footage from Kenya: Dennis Katabira
Photo: Ingrid Fadnes

Music Lyrics:
Slave Mill: Damian Marley / MATATA
Amina: MATATA / Burna Boy
Mwene Nyaga: Kwame Rigii