Al-Fakhani apologizes for withdrawing from 'King Lear' at Kuwait Festival 32
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Artist Yehia Al-Fakhani officially apologized for participating in the play 'King Lear' at the 33rd Kuwait Cultural Festival due to health conditions and travel difficulties.
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Mufreh Al-Shamari: Renowned actor Yehia Al-Fakhry has apologized for being unable to perform in the play “King Lear” as part of the 32nd edition of the Qurain Cultural Festival, scheduled to launch on January 11 and run until January 21, due to health reasons and the difficulty of enduring the hardships of travel.
The apology came after the theatrical performance was included in the festival’s schedule. Al-Fakhry formally notified the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters of his decision via an official letter, explaining that his health condition and circumstances related to travel prevent him from traveling to Kuwait, while extending his best wishes for the success of the festival organizers in its upcoming edition.
The performance of “King Lear,” one of Al-Fakhry’s most prominent theatrical works due to its artistic and literary weight, was scheduled to take place on the stage of the Drama Theater at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. The play is based on the famous text by English writer William Shakespeare, who is believed to have written it in 1605–1606, with its first documented performance held at the English royal court on December 26, 1606.
The play tells the story of a king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, leading his decisions to conflicts and betrayals that reveal the true nature of those around him, offering a tragic treatment of issues related to power, loyalty, and family relationships.
Al-Fakhry has performed the play three times in Egypt: first in 2001 at the National Theater under the direction of Ahmed Abdel-Halim, second in 2019 directed by Tamer Kamel, and third in 2025 at the National Theater directed by Shady Sarour.
The opening ceremony of the 32nd edition of the Qurain Cultural Festival will be held on the stage of the Abdulhussein Abdulredha Theater with the play “Until This Moment,” amid anticipation for the final program’s artistic and cultural events aimed at all family members.
