Jezebel, Delilah, Eve defy stereotypes in controversial play 'Bad Girls of the Bible'

Eight infamous women from the Bible took centre stage in a bold theatrical production that reimagines their lives beyond the labels history gave them.

Bad Girls of the Bible, staged over the weekend by Chemichemi Players, brought together controversial figures such as Jezebel, Delilah, Eve, and Potiphar’s wife, now named Zuleika, in a live-recorded reality show-style setup.

The characters were placed in a fictional pre-judgment afterlife, where they candidly confronted their pasts before a live audience.

The play was written by Yafesi Musoke and directed by Julisa Rowe, with a star-studded cast including Joyce Musoke as Zuleika, Wakio Mzenge as Jezebel, and Ivy Esther as Delilah.

“The Bible often tells their stories through the lens of others,” said Yafesi. “I wanted to give these women a chance to speak for themselves, flaws and all.”

He revealed that while some characters had rich backstories in scripture, others, like Zuleika, required historical digging.

“I found her name in ancient royal records. She was feared and powerful, far from the one-dimensional seductress we’re often told about.”

The play tackled themes of identity, agency, societal judgement, and religious bias, with the Devil’s Advocate (played by Mugambi Ikiara) acting as a confrontational host. Yet rather than submit to shame, the women owned their narratives, turning supposed sins into stories of survival.

Moments of humour were woven throughout, including a Sheng-speaking Sapphira and mock biblical advertisements by Justin Karunguru.

The production drew a diverse audience, including theologians, churchgoers, and youth, many of whom said they were surprised to relate to the characters’ personal struggles.

“This wasn’t just theatre—it was a mirror,” one audience member noted.

Bad Girls of the Bible follows Chemichemi’s 2023 production Pilate and signals a growing trend of religious stage plays that challenge traditional interpretations while drawing in new, curious audiences.