Madhat Al-Adl: Kuwaiti Audience Key to the Success of "Umm Kulthum... Deybin in the Lady's Voice" in Egypt
Madhat Al-Adl presents a play about Umm Kulthum in Kuwait, expressing his delight at the Kuwaiti audience, whose support contributed to the show's success in Egypt.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Egyptian writer and producer Dr. Madhat Al-Adl is preparing to meet the Kuwaiti audience on December 4 with the musical play “Umm Kulthum... Drowned in Her Voice,” which will be hosted at the National Theatre within the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre. The production is an artistic endeavor that revisits the biography of the “Star of the East” and her exceptional musical legacy, featuring more than 65 artists and performers.
In a press statement, Al-Adl, who oversees the play’s direction, authorship, and lyric writing, expressed his great joy at visiting Kuwait and presenting the performance to its audience. He said, “Welcome to my family, friends, brothers, sisters, and loved ones in Kuwait, a country that means a great deal to me. It was the first Gulf state to embrace theatre, and a nation of culture and enlightenment that holds a special place in my heart.”
He added, “Umm Kulthum also had visits, concerts, meetings, friendships, and loved ones in Kuwait. It brings me great pleasure and joy to meet her esteemed people through this work, especially since they were among the reasons for the play’s success in Egypt. Many used to travel to Cairo on weekends to watch it. Therefore, I hope they will also contribute to the play’s success in Kuwait.”
Regarding the nature of the performance, he said, “Umm Kulthum was not just an extraordinary voice, but the memory of a nation and a story of an era whose details remain vivid in the consciousness of the Arab audience. The play brings the ‘Star of the East’ back to the stage through an artistic journey that recalls the most significant milestones of her life and her most famous songs, reviving the atmosphere of the golden age of Arabic music.”
He continued, “The production offers a massive musical and theatrical experience, relying on diverse visual and artistic elements, including movement, costumes, and spectacular scenes. It also reveals unknown aspects and stories from Umm Kulthum’s life, including the love stories associated with her and her relationship with her songs, in a theatrical treatment that blends drama, music, singing, and spectacle.”
He concluded, “The performance in Kuwait gains additional significance as it approaches the anniversary of Umm Kulthum’s birth, which falls on December 31. Celebrating her provides an opportunity to recall the career of one of the most prominent figures in singing, who left an indelible mark on the history of Arabic music, with her influence transcending the boundaries of time and space.”
