The musical comedy show, which debuted in Saudi Arabia in December amid the Riyadh Season, will run on Thursday, 12 January and Friday, 13 January, at the Cairo Show Theatre in the 6th of October city.

Saidaty El-Gamila is Ayman Bahgat Amar’s re-writing of his father Bahgat Amar and Samir Khafagy’s Egyptian classic from the 1960s that featured the iconic Fouad El-Mohandes and Shwikar.

The plot is based initially on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, which premiered in 1913.

Originally directed by Hassan Abdel-Salam, the new Saidaty El-Gamila is directed by Mostafa Hosny, with El-Sakka accompanied by Reem Mostafa, Mohamed ‘Tota’ Abdel-Rahman and Alaa Morsi.

Earlier Controversy

Even before its premiere in Riyadh last month, the show caused controversy.

Many critics, including prominent critic Magda Khairallah, attacked the feasibility of remaking an iconic classic.

On the other hand, other critics, including the prominent Tarek El-Shennawi, thought it was essential to watch the show before jumping to conclusions.

The show makers, including Amar and El-Sakka, have requested a chance to introduce their version of the play they highly admire.

Ahmed El-Sakka’s Career

Appearing in various comedy hits like Alabanda and Afroto, El-Sakka’s last theatre appearance was in Kedah Okay in 2003.

Born in 1973, the Higher Institute of Theatre graduate started his career with minor roles before his breakthrough in the TV series Who Doesn’t Love Fatma? and Rabie’s Other Half, before starring in many series. His latest was Nasl El-Aghrab during the Ramadan season.

In cinema, he initially made his fame by backing Henedy in the 1990s rule-breaking hit Saidi in the American University, which opened the door for a new generation of Egyptian filmmakers before quickly becoming a favourite hero for action and romance.

Famous for performing dangerous scene by himself, Ahmed El-Sakka’s action filmography include Amr Arafa’s Africano, Tarek Al Arian’s Tito, Marwan Hamed’s Ibrahim El Abyad, Sandra Nashaat’s El Maslaha, as well as Sherif Arafa’s Mafia and The Island film series.

His romantic roles started with Saeed Hamed’s Shorts, T-Shirt and a Cap and Kamla Abu Zikri’s About Love and Passion, or comedies like Amr Arafa’s The Council's Son and Ali Idris’ Father.

Ahmed Elsakka received the Career Achievement Award at the fifth edition of the Gouna Film Festival in 2021.

He is the son of Egypt’s puppet theatre pioneer Salah El-Sakka of El-Leila El-Kebira.