May 10, 2010 – George Mungai is back to the cradle of Kenyan theatre – Phoenix Players – as the company’s Creative Director.

Mungai has been away for just under a decade, and his return sees him focus on Production Programme, Artistic training, Set and Production Design, plus wielding the occasional hammer and nail.

Phoenix Chairman Peter Nduati has described George’s plans so far as ‘very exciting indeed’.

A lack of members and clientele forced Phoenix Players to shut its doors, before former thespians handed the esteemed establishment a life-line. In a new lease of life, directors have been appointed to oversee the company’s return to glory and profitability. They mainly operate on a pro-bono basis.

George Mungai’s return featured at an Extra Ordinary General Meeting last week, where Nduati was elected as Chairman to the Board of Directors alongside Ronald Kingangi as Vice Chairman. Millicent Ogutu (Milo), Lorna Irungu and Raju Umamaheshwa were made directors.

Milo will oversee the Business and Administrative Direction of Phoenix Players as the Managing Director.

“Her unquestionable work ethic and positive attitude has enabled the phoenix to come through difficult times especially after the recent closure. We have complete faith in her abilities and she has the total support of the board,” said Nduati in a statement.

In more sweeping changes; “In order to ensure continuous smooth running of operations we will be recruiting a Membership/Marketing Executive to shore-up this important role for the sustainability of the theatre,” he said.

The chairman further promises to turn a new page in Phoenix’s history with the production of Shady Business, which opens on Friday, May 14.

NB: members will be compensated for the months of missed performances when PP was shut.