The play “Merriam the Virgin” is scheduled for staging on al Hanager Theater, after the title was changed to “Image for Merriam”, as it revoked the objection of Copts in Egypt with some of them demanding ban on the play.
Some Copt lawyers threatened to go to the court to halt the play and demand the play director, screenwriter, star and theater management to pay large compensations. They said that the character of Merriam is a symbol that cannot be abused by either Christians or Muslims, adding that they were astonished over the theater’s approval of the play staging.
For her part, the play’s hero Dalal Abdel Aziz told the daily al Bayan, “the play is based on the story of a lady called Collins who is a carbon copy of Merriam the Virgin. The play is based on a story by the American prominent writer, Tennessee Williams, “Image for Merriam the Virgin” and tackles the life history of Collins through some paintings, which are, considered carbon copies of images for Merriam the Virgin.
She added, ‘ there is a confusion and misunderstanding due to the play’s title which has angered some Copts. After I explain the situation to the people who contact me inquiring about the affair, they pull back and apologize. Following several calls I contacted the play director Adel Said and asked him to change the title from Merriam the Virgin to Image for Merriam the Virgin and he was convinced of the new name.”
“Some people tried to create dispute between the Coptic Church and the theater management but the officials at the church were fully aware of the case. After the theater management sent them a copy of the script they welcomed the play and its performance on the stage,” added Abdel Aziz -- Albawaba.com
