The late Egyptian singer Umm Kulthoum “Orient Star” whose songs amused many generations in the Arab World will constitute the theme of a play to be staged on January 23, 2002 in South France before it begins its tour nationwide.
The play was scripted by Adel Hakim based on what Salim Nageeb wrote about the late singer and under the direction of the Tunisian director Lutfi Ashour.
“The history of Umm Kulthoum (1902-1975) represents a unique relation between a singer and her audience for half a decade that is beyond any logical analysis,” Ashour told AFP.
He added, “I wanted to tell in the simplest methods and through blending musical, cinema and poetry testimonies about the unique status which a singer managed to achieve among a whole population. This comes at a time when concept of art seems to be ambiguous to some and even risky and unpopular to the extent that it is sometimes very fiercely attacked.”
The musical part of the play is the responsibility of Anwar Barahem accompanied by the Tunisian flutist Tawfiq Zaghandah and the Egyptian singer Afaf Rhadi. Costarring along six other stars in the play actress Malika Balreesh who will play the role as young Umm Kulthoum and A’eshah Saif will be her as old Umm Kulthoum – Albawaba.com
