Ticket Sales Open Today for 'Umm Kulthum: Drowned in Her Voice' Play at Jaber Center

Yasser Al-Ayila The countdown has begun to welcome one of the most anticipated musical theatrical productions in Kuwait, “Umm Kulthum: Drowned in the Lady’s Voice,” which will be hosted at the National Theatre within the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre on December 4 next year, amid great public anticipation for this work that re-presents the biography of the Star of the East through a contemporary artistic vision blending drama, music, and spectacle.

Ticket counters open today, Thursday, allowing the public to reserve seats via the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre’s website, in preparation for a night that will bring the stage back to life with the story of one of the most significant vocal figures who shaped a vital part of the Arab cultural consciousness. This is achieved through a massive theatrical production featuring more than 65 artists and performers.

The production is created by “Space for Artistic Production,” under the leadership of producer and CEO Hamad Abd Al-Rida, in collaboration with “Al-Salam Media Group.” Dr. Madhat Al-Adl oversees the project, serves as the writer, and composes the lyrics, while Ahmed Fouad directs. The musical direction involves musicians Khaled Al-Kamar and Ehab Abd Al-Wahid, in an artistic synthesis aiming to deliver a complete theatrical experience that combines the authenticity of the narrative with modern treatment.

Rather than merely showcasing the conventional milestones in Umm Kulthum’s life, the production delves into her human and artistic dimensions, focusing on the love stories associated with her, her relationship with her songs, and how her personal experiences influenced her artistic choices and exceptional career, which ensured her voice remained present in the memory of successive generations.

The show also opens the door to the appearance of historical and artistic figures who influenced the Star of the East’s career. Ahmed Ali Al-Hajjar portrays the musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab, while Saeed Salman plays the poet Ahmed Ramy, alongside the portrayal of artist Zeinat Sedki. These characters are presented within a dramatic treatment that evokes the features of a bygone era and re-presents them with a contemporary theatrical spirit.

The production relies on an integrated scenography combining visuals, sound, music, and spectacle, aiming to transport the audience into the atmosphere of the era in which Umm Kulthum lived. It presents the details of her story in a visual and auditory format that keeps pace with the development of modern theatrical productions, without abandoning the spirit of authenticity associated with her name and artistic legacy.

In the context of preparations for the show, the Kuwaiti public awaits a special surprise related to the arrival of the play’s lead actress, young singer Asma Al-Jamal, who portrays Umm Kulthum. She is scheduled to appear at Kuwait International Airport in an appearance that evokes the Star of the East’s famous image, starting with her black sunglasses and the handkerchief she used to hold while singing, down to the large gold earrings associated with her historical image.

The surprise details do not stop at the appearance; she is expected to be greeted by a 1968 Mercedes-Benz, mimicking the car associated with Umm Kulthum, in a scene that recalls an aspect of her era’s atmosphere and gives the lead actress’s arrival a celebratory tone appropriate to the nature of the character she portrays.

The presentation of the play in Kuwait coincides with the approaching anniversary of Umm Kulthum’s birth, which falls on December 31. This experience comes as a tribute to an exceptional artistic legacy that transcended the boundaries of time and space and continues to hold a firm place in the memory of the Arab public.

By combining the human narrative, music, theatrical performance, and modern visual technologies, “Umm Kulthum: Drowned in the Lady’s Voice” aims to offer the audience an experience that goes beyond recalling famous songs, drawing closer to the woman behind the legend and revealing some of the details that contributed to shaping her career and creating her immortal presence in the history of Arabic singing.