Three years after the musical “Umm Kulthum and the Golden Era” launched at London's Palladium theatre, producer Mona Khashoggi was able to achieve her dream of having the musical tribute performed in Saudi Arabia.
Ithra Theater in Dhahran will be showing Khashoggi’s play starting March 7 and until March 17.
Finding success in one of London’s most prestigious theaters had prompted Khashoggi to seek performing the musical in the Arab world, which happened in Dubai last year.
Asharq Al-Awsat interviewed Khashoggi about the new show and its protagonists.
She explained that one of the most important changes this time around is the character of the main singer and the performer playing Umm Kulthum in her adulthood. Before, the grownup Umm Kulthum was performed by singer Lubna Al-Kuntar.
“This time, the team is different. We have the Egyptian singer Agfan Afifi who will play the character of the adult Umm Kulthum,” Khashoggi told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Singer Jennifer Grout, an American Muslim who studied Quran recitation and classical Arabic, will play the role of singer Munira Al-Mahdia and perform some of Umm Kulthum's songs,” she added.
Actress Maha Khleifi will join the cast to play the role of Umm Kulthum’s mother.
Meanwhile, Jordanian actor Hani Dahshan will play the roles of the trio Muhammad Al-Qasabji, Dr. Al-Hafnawi, Umm Kulthum's husband, and the musician Muhammad Abdel-Wahhab.
Actor Walid Hammad will play the roles of Ahmed Rami and Sheikh Abu Al-Ela Muhammad.
“I titled the show (Umm Kulthum and the Golden Era) for an important reason,” said Khashoggi.
“Through it, I wanted to celebrate giants such as Muhammad al-Qasabji, Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab, and Tahia Carioca (..) as well as the personality of singer Munira al-Mahdia,” she added.
As for the songs that the musical presented before, they will remain the same. They consist of a selection of some of Umm Kulthum’s most famous songs.
Moreover, the storyline of the musical will not change. It follows the early childhood and humble beginnings of Umm Kulthum until she transformed herself into the Star of the Orient.
