Following a successful run in Cairo, “Umm Kulthum… D’aybeen fi Soot El-Sett” may soon tour internationally, with Tunisia—a nation with a special historical connection to the icon—as a key destination.
After nearly two months of captivating audiences in Cairo, the theatrical production “Umm Kulthum… D’aybeen fi Soot El-Sett” is poised for an international tour, with producer Medhat El Adl expressing a particular ambition to stage the play in Tunisia, where the legendary singer’s legacy holds profound historical significance.
The play, which has drawn steady crowds, offers more than a simple biography. It is an artistic reimagining of the life of Umm Kulthum, tracing her journey from her humble beginnings in the village of Tamay Al-Zahayra to her ascent as a global musical phenomenon. The narrative blends historical fact with contemporary staging to explore how her voice came to shape Arab identity for generations.
“We sought to approach the essence of Umm Kulthum,” said screenwriter and producer Medhat El Adl, who also penned the play’s poetic texts. He emphasized the production’s goal to capture her determined character and the universal power of her art, which famously mesmerized Parisian audiences who understood none of her lyrics.
A key historical moment revisited in the play is Umm Kulthum’s 1968 visit to Tunisia, where she was received with high honors by the nation’s late leader, President Habib Bourguiba. The performance highlights how Bourguiba was famously captivated by the artist, an encounter that remains a point of cultural pride in Tunisia.
It is this deep-seated appreciation that fuels El Adl’s desire to bring the production to Tunisian soil. “I have a strong desire to stage the play in Tunisia,” El Adl stated, citing the country’s “deep appreciation for authentic art and its longstanding admiration for Umm Kulthum.”
The production is a result of a year of meticulous preparation. Under the direction of Ahmed Fouad, the play features innovative visual design and a musical score by Khaled Al-Kammar and Ihab Abdelwahid that merges traditional Umm Kulthum classics with a contemporary theatrical spirit. The performance features fifteen of her most celebrated songs alongside new pieces created specifically for the stage.
In a bold casting choice, El Adl opted for new faces to portray the iconic star, a decision intended to allow audiences to engage with the character free from the preconceptions associated with well-known actresses. The move has been met with praise from critics and audiences.
Following its Cairo engagement, the production is scheduled for an extensive tour across Egypt’s governorates. International stops, including performances in Paris and London, are also in the planning stages, aiming to echo, in a modern form, Umm Kulthum’s own celebrated global journey.
TunisianMonitorOnline Correspondent Douha Essaafi – CIFF
