Egyptian Theatre

The Greeks believe that they invented theatre, but the Egyptians actually preceded them with productions that were pageant-like and religious in nature. The ancient Egyptians performed plays and musicals in honor of their gods and as part of their religious ceremonies. These performances often included music, dance, and elaborate costumes.

During the Islamic Golden Age, which began in the 7th century, theatre and performance continued to flourish in Egypt. One of the most famous forms of performance during this time was shadow puppetry, which was used to tell stories and entertain audiences.

Two brands of theatre with very different approaches attracted most: the comic theatre and the dramatic theatre. Comic theatre was represented by companies of Naguid Al Rihani and Ali El Kassar, and dramatic theatre was represented by the company of Youssef Wahbi. Dramatic theatre incorporated the biggest stage performers of the time.

In the 19th century, Egypt came under the influence of European colonial powers, and with that came the introduction of Western-style theatre. The first Egyptian play performed in a Western-style theatre was "The Comedy of Oedipus" by Ibrahim al-Mazini in 1870. The play was a success and paved the way for the development of a thriving theatre scene in Egypt.

In the early 20th century, Egyptian theatre underwent a period of growth and experimentation, with playwrights and directors exploring new themes and styles. The most famous Egyptian playwright of this era was Tawfiq al-Hakim, who is credited with introducing modern drama to Egypt. His plays, which often dealt with social and political issues, were hugely popular and influential.

Sources cited:

Fahim, Joseph. “Roots in the Sand: A Timeline of Egyptian Theatre.” AMERICAN THEATRE, 10 May 2014, https://www.americantheatre.org/2014/05/10/roots-in-the-sand-a-timeline-of-egyptian-theatre/.

“The Ancient Egyptian Theatre.” Ancient Egyptian Theatre, https://www.faculty.umb.edu/gary_zabel/Courses/Phil%20281b/Philosophy%20of%20Magic/Arcana/Neoplatonism/theatre.htm.