By: Yomna Walid
Half a century after her passing, Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s voice still echoes across the Arab world. Her songs continue to play on radios, her melodies remain the soundtrack of generations, and her influence stands as a pillar of Egypt&rsquo;s cultural pride. Now, her story is set to be experienced in a completely new way.
On the 3rd of October, &ldquo;Umm Kulthum.. Daybeen Fi Sout El-Sitt&rdquo; musical will premiere, offering audiences an intimate journey through the life of the legendary singer. More than just a performance, it is a celebration of a woman whose artistry and humanity left an indelible mark on history.
Written and produced by Medhat El Adl, with music by Khaled El Kammar and Ihab Abdel Wahid, and directed by Ahmed Fouad, the production blends cutting-edge technology with timeless storytelling to uncover aspects of Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s life that have rarely been seen.
In an exclusive interview with NileFM, director Ahmed Fouad shared the inspiration, challenges, and vision behind this ambitious project, giving audiences a rare glimpse behind the scenes.
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How did the idea come to you, and how were you able to translate it into a major musical production?
The idea was originally presented to me by Dr. Medhat El Adl. From the start, I was very enthusiastic because I&rsquo;ve always believed we have towering figures in our history who deserve to be celebrated across different artistic forms&mdash;cinema, drama, or theater. We chose the most challenging format, which is theater, to tell the story of the most important artist in the Arab world, and one of the most significant voices globally. Umm Kulthum was not only a singer with a powerful voice that continues to live in our hearts, but also a role model who proved how art can influence lives far beyond the stage. Even fifty years after her death, people still follow her, and that in itself shows her lasting impact.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during preparation and directing?
Casting was the toughest part. Since this is a musical, the actors had to sing as well as act, and they needed strong performance and movement skills. It took us a long time to finalize the cast, ensuring they could do the best to the iconic roles they were stepping into.
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How long did the preparations take, including rehearsals and technical arrangements?
We&rsquo;ve been preparing for more than six months now, starting even before the official project announcement. For a musical, that is actually a short preparation period, as international productions can take one to two years. But we worked with a strict schedule, knowing from day one when the premiere would be. This helped us stay focused and deliver a show that we believe will meet, and hopefully exceed, audience expectations.
If someone is attending the play for the first time, what kind of experience can they expect?
They can expect something very different. The play is not just about Umm Kulthum the singer, but Umm Kulthum the person. Even those who don&rsquo;t know her will discover how much she deserves to be celebrated in every artistic form, not just musical theater. The audience will enjoy the show, learn new details, and live through the story in depth.
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Is there a particular scene that you feel truly captures Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s spirit?
It&rsquo;s difficult to pick one, because the entire show is a journey. We start with her childhood, move through her youth, and highlight her significant role during the war effort, as well as her collaborations with great composers of her time. The play captures both her artistry and her humanity, which we rarely get to see. I hope that audiences will feel as if they are meeting Umm Kulthum live on stage, closer to her true spirit.
What does this experience mean to you personally and professionally?
It is a milestone for me. Working with Dr. Medhat El Adl has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. He is a supportive collaborator who always pushes for excellence. He is not only the writer and lyricist but also the producer, and he never hesitates to invest in making the work the best it can be. My collaboration with Ehab Abd Elwahed and Khaled Al Kammar has also been incredible. We&rsquo;ve built great chemistry as a team, always focusing on the details. Together, we want this to be more than just a production&mdash;we want it to reignite Egypt&rsquo;s legacy in musical theater, something we excelled at a century ago.
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How did you strike a balance between documenting Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s biography and creating an engaging artistic show?
We wanted Umm Kulthum to feel real and alive, not just a historical figure. The production is documented, based on real events, but it is not a documentary. The drama and emotions are ours as creators. This allowed us to bring her closer to the audience&rsquo;s hearts while still respecting the historical truth.
Will the play be limited to Egypt, or are there plans to expand regionally and internationally?
A production of this scale, carrying Umm Kulthum&rsquo;s name, is destined to resonate beyond Egypt. Our plan is to take it across the Arab world and, hopefully, to international stages as well.
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What message do you hope the audience takes away after watching the play?
The key message is that Egypt&rsquo;s greatness is far from over. We are a country of timeless figures, not just historical monuments. Umm Kulthum is one of many &ldquo;human pyramids&rdquo; that continue to inspire us. I want audiences to leave the theater proud of Egypt&rsquo;s artistic heritage and confident that our story is still being written.
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