The Egyptian National Theater is currently staging a play entitled Al-Motafael 'The Optimistic', adopting classical novella Candide, written by French writer François-Marie Arouet 'Voltaire' in 1750s.

Directed and adopted for theater by Islam Imam, Al-Motafael stars comedian Sameh Hussein, a current TV and cinema star who started his acting career in theater.

"A big responsibility merged with joy felt by standing on the great stage of the National theater that witness giants of Egyptian theater icons," stated Hussein, about his second experience at the historic stage.

His debut was in Khaled Galal's 2002's direction of Lenin El-Ramly's Teheb Tshoof Ma'sah whilst he appeared in almost 150 theater plays in various private and state theaters.

In Al-Motafael , the known 43-year-old actor shares the stage with Sahar El-Saigh, Yusuf Ismael, Ezzat Zein, Sawsan Rabie, Ayat Magdy, Tamer El-Kashef, Amgad El-Haggar, Zakaria Marouf and singer Mostafa Sami in addition to a group of the national theater youngsters.

The music of the show is composed by Hisham Gabr with poems and lyrics written by Tarek Ali.

Al-Motafael has been premiered on Friday 26 gaining a noticeable appreciation by national theater leaders attended.

Programme:                                          
Everyday (except Wednesday) at 9pm
National Theater [Al-Masrah Al-Qawmy], Elatabla

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture