The 13th Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF)
(1-26 October 2025)
Falaki Theatre
AUC Tahrir Campus, 24 Falaki St, Downtown, Cairo, Tel 012 88721446
Falaki Mainstage Theatre
The Manual is conceived as a haunting dreamscape unfolding in three acts—Paradise, Purgatory, and Inferno—through an accessible yet provocative metaphor, the performance critically examines our fragile human condition in an era marked by polarization and escalating conflicts, exposing how human beings destroy one another due to imaginary stories that reside in our minds. Concept and direction by Omar Ghayatt, choreography by Emma Murray, dramaturge by Noëmi Steffen, performance by Emma Murray, Giulin Stäubli, Maria Sautter, Maria Demandt, Sofia Olivares, and Shebli Albau. Scenography by Omar Ghayatt, costume by Ernestyna Orlowska, with soundscape and music by Wendelin Schmidt-Ott, light by Demian Jakob (17 October, 7pm).
Jesuit Cultural Centre
15 El Mahrany St, Al Fagalah, Al Azbakeya, Cairo, Tel 01000712887
The Long Shadow of Alois Brunner – the gathering "Maqlouba" theatrical performance explores the true story of one of Nazi’s most wanted and escaped criminals, Alois Brunner. After being instrumental in the deportation of more than 100,000 people to concentration camps and ghettos, Brunner managed to escape numerous arrest attempts and fled to Damascus, where he played a pivotal role in building Syria’s intelligence services. While a refugee in Berlin in this century, Syrian playwright Mudar Al-Hajji discovers the story of Brunner, and begins to search obsessively before disappearing.
In this captivating play, two actors combine fragments of Al-Hajji’s research, where personal experiences and world history, fact and fiction collide. The work between Syrian and German history, exploring themes of exile, accountability, political memory, and the complex thread that connects the past to the present. It work raises pressing questions about asylum, justice and hope. About the Maqlouba gathering, "Maqlouba" – the Arabic name meaning "upside down" – was founded by Syrian theatre artists who graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus and now reside in different parts of Europe.
Maqlouba reflects on the lived experiences of Arabs in a global context, exploring historical, political, and colonial connections, and the turbulent state of their existence. Text by Mudar Al-Hajji, directed by Omar El-Erian, it casts Wael Kaddour and Mohamed Al-Rashi, Design: Jonas Vogt, Sound and Music by Vincent Coumare
(25 October, 8pm, Arabic with English subtitles).
Rawabet Art Space
5 Hussien Pasha El-Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Maarouf, Qasr El Nil, Downtown
L’Addition stage performance (France/UK) is about two performers armed with—or trapped in—a single recurring scene. A customer orders a drink from a waiter, and then things go awry. Played again and again, the scene starts spinning out of control. Nightmarish spiral or grotesque farce? Roles flip back and forth, who’s serving and who’s being served? Directed by Forced Entertainment Artistic Director Tim Etchells, and created with the brilliant performance duo Bert and Nasi, L’Addition orchestrates a complex, hilarious and explosive performance from the simplest materials. Together, they play with the mechanisms of theatre as much as with power relationships—but in the end, someone has to pay the bill.
This production of L’Addition is an English version of the French production commissioned by Festival d’Avignon in 2023.
Directed by Tim Etchells, with text by Tim Etchells with Bertrand Lesca and Nasi Voutsas, Devised and Creation and Performance by Bertrand Lesca and Nasi Voutsas, Lighting Design by Alex Fernandes, Composer and Sound Design by Graeme Miller
(16 October, 8pm).
D-CAF’s Headquarters
165 Mohamed Farid St, Al-Shourbagy Building, Downtown, Cairo
Invisible is a Swiss interactive street performance, presented by Dreams Come True company. Taking the form of a collective game in public space, Invisible invites small groups of 8 to 12 participants to engage in a shared, poetic experiment. Beginning from a short score and a recollection of a past experience, participants carry out subtle interventions—tiny gestures that gently disrupt the ordinary flow of daily life. Together, they create fleeting moments that are perceptible yet unseen, becoming both initiators and witnesses of delicate disturbances—strange, humorous, political, or unexpectedly touching.
(16, 17, and 18 October, 6pm).
ALEXANDRIA
Jesuit Cultural Centre
298 Port Said St, Cleopatra, Sidi Gaber, Alexandria, Tel 01090958108
L’Addition stage performance
(18 October, 7pm).
This information is correct at the time of going to press, it remains wise, however, to check with venues for any short notice alteration.
Artistic Creativity Centre Theatre
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 3448/6
Hawadeet (Tales) play performed by The Actor Studio Theatre Company, directed by Khaled Galal
(Performances run daily except Wednesdays, 9pm).
The Cairo Puppet Theatre
Next to the Al-Attaba Metro Station, Tel 02 2591 0954
Qatrat Nada (a drop of mist), a children play that blends puppets, poetry and music, directed by Reda Hassanein (Performances run daily, 8pm).
Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Theatre
Next to Balloon Theatre, Al-Agouza, Tel 02 3304 3187
Hekayat Alsheta (The winter’s tales) play is produced by Al-Ghad Theatre company, written by Ibrahim El-Husseiny and directed by Mohamed Ashry. It casts actors Heba Samy, Abeer El-Tokhy, Maya Essam and others. The play is based on improvisation and revolves around a theatre company looking for a new play to perform in the new theatrical season (Performances run daily except Mondays, 9pm).
The International Park
Madinet Nasr District
The Legend of the Strawberry War children play is performed by Al-Shams (The Sun) Theatre Company for talents with special needs written by Sameh Osman and directed by Ali Osman
(Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm).
Malak Opera Theatre
9 A Khalig Al-Khour St, Azbekiya district, Ramses, Tel 0122 3417152
The Hotel play produced by the Youth Theatre Company is based on Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s play Hotel of the Two Worlds. It casts Mohamed Hany, Sherehan Kotb, Iman Reda among others, and directed by Mohamed Altayaa
(Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm).
Miami Theatre
Talaat Harb St, next to Miami Cinema, Downtown, Tel 02 2574 5651
Fi Youm wa Laila (In a day and a night) play starring actors Mohamed Ali Rizk, Mohamed El-Damarawy, Naglaa Fawzi, Rania El-Naggar among others. The play is written and directed by Mohamed Abdel-Sattar (Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 9pm).
Metropol (The Children’s National) Theatre
6 Halim St, the beginning of 26th July, Attaba, Downtown, Tel 02 2593 3334
Alhelm Halawa (The Dream is Halawa) play for children is written by Yasser Aboul-Anein, and directed by Maye Mohab
(Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 7.30pm).
Al-Qawmi (The National) Theatre
Al Attaba Square, in front of Attab Post Office, Cairo, Tel, 02 25917783
King Lear play is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play King Lear casting veteran actor Yehia El-Fakharany, Tarek El-Dessouky, Amal Abdallah, Iman Ragaai, Hassan Yousef, Ahmed El-Nasser, and directed by Shady Sorour
(Performances run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9pm).
Al-Salam Theatre
101 Qasr Al-Aini St, Tel 02 2795 2484/2794 3016/010 21521501
Youssef Idrees Hall
Yamein Fi Awal Shimal (Right first left) play is written by Mahmoud Gamal Hedeny, starring Abdallah Saber, Ihab Mahfouz, décor by Bassem Wadiaa, music composed by Marwan Khater, and directed by Abdallah Saber (Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 9pm).
Segn Alnasa (Women Prison) play is an adaptation of Fathia El-Aassal book, starring Haidy Abdel-Khaleq, Sherehan El-Shazly, Nashwa Hassan, Aya Abu Zeid, Randa Gamal, Safi Fahmy among others, and directed by Youssef Mourad Mounir.
(Performances run daily except Tuesdays, 8.30pm).
Casino play starring Kareem El-Husseiny, Nawal Samir, Shady Asaad, Mohamed Diab, Nesma Adel is produced by the Modern Theatre Company. Décor by Mohamed Abdel-Hamid, lightening by Ezz Helmy, costumes designed by Maha Abdel-Rahman, music composed by Hazem El-Kafrawy, choreography by Hassan Shehata, written by Ayman El-Nemr and directed by Amr Hassaan
(Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 8.30pm).
The Theatre
Movenpick Media City, 6th of October, Giza
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Umm Kulthum’s passing, El Adl Group Studios is presenting a groundbreaking musical show that brings her story to life on stage
(16 and 17 October, 8pm).
Teatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Oliver, inspired by the world-famous novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, for the first time in Egypt, takes the stage at Theatro Arkan. Produced by Fabrica, this classic tale is reimagined with music, drama, and captivating performances. Suitable for all ages, it’s a family-friendly production full of emotions, songs, and unforgettable moments that bring Dickens’ masterpiece to life in a truly magical theater experience (16 to 18 October, 8pm).
The Story of Colours, a magical musical adventure for the whole family, it tell the story of little Lala when she wakes up to find that the rainbow has lost its colours, she embarks on a magical journey to bring them back. Along the way, she meets funny, wise, and colorful friends who help her discover the true meaning of kindness, courage, and self-love,
written and directed by Zazy Hafez (24 October, 6pm).
Taliaa Theatre
Attaba Square, Tel 02 2593 7948
Zaki Tolaimat Hall
Carmen play is an adaptation of Prosper Mérimée’s novel Carmen, casts Reem Ahmed, Mido Abdel-Qader, Nehal Fahmy, Ahmed Alaa and many more, directed by Nasser Abdel-Moneim
(Performances run daily except Tuesdays, 9pm).
Salah Abdel-Sabour Hall
Endgame is an absurdist, tragicomic one-act play by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett represented by director Alsaid Qabeel
(Performances run daily, 7.30pm).
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Conference Centre Main Hall
Who’s It For theatrical performance is directed by Moataz Agamy
(23 October, 8pm).
Lycee El Horreya Theatre
Qism Bab Sharqi, Alexandria, Tel 03 5913794
Gharam Fi Almasrah (Love in the Theatre) play is performed by Alexandria Theatre Company, written by Badr Moharab, and directed by Sameh El-Hadary
(Performances run daily except Tuesdays, 8pm).
* A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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