"Umm Kulthum... Drowned in the Lady's Voice"... at Jaber Cultural Center on December 4

The countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated musical theater productions in Kuwait, titled “Umm Kulthum: Drowned in the Lady’s Voice,” starring young singer Asma Al-Jamal as the legendary Umm Kulthum. The show is scheduled to take place on the stage of the National Theater at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center on December 4.

The production reimagines the biography of the “Star of the East” through a contemporary artistic vision that blends drama, music, and spectacle, featuring a large-scale cast of more than 65 artists and performers.

According to a press statement, the production is created by Fada’iya for Artistic Production in collaboration with Al-Salam Media Group. Dr. Madhat Al-Adl will oversee the project, serve as the writer, and compose the lyrics, while Ahmed Fouad will direct. The musical direction will be handled by musicians Khaled Al-Kamar and Ehab Abdulwahed, aiming to deliver a comprehensive theatrical experience that combines the authenticity of the story with modern artistic treatment.

The statement added that the production will not merely recount the traditional milestones of Umm Kulthum’s life, but will delve into her human and artistic dimensions. It will explore the love stories associated with her, her relationship with her songs, and how her personal experiences influenced her artistic choices and exceptional career, which has kept her voice present in the memories of successive generations.

The show will also feature historical and artistic figures who influenced the “Star of the East’s” career. Ahmed Ali Al-Hajjar will portray the musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab, while Saeed Salman will play the poet Ahmed Ramy. The production will also depict the artist Zinat Sedki, within a dramatic treatment that evokes the charm of the past and presents it with a contemporary theatrical spirit.

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

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

By combining human storytelling, music, theatrical performance, and modern visual technologies, “Umm Kulthum: Drowned in the Lady’s Voice” aims to offer Kuwaiti audiences an experience that goes beyond the recreation of famous songs. It seeks to bring them closer to the woman behind the legend, revealing details that contributed to shaping her career and establishing her immortal presence in the history of Arabic singing.