The one-day event is co-produced by Saudi theatre and film producer Mona Khashoggi, head of UK-based Mona Khash Productions, in collaboration with the Mohamed Abdel- Wahab family estate.
"After the Um Kulthoum musical in London in March 2020, members of Mohamed Abdel-Wahab’s family, who saw and loved the production, expressed the wish to collaborate on further projects," recounted Khashoggi.
She explained that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project had to be delayed for a few years, a process that proved filled with many challenges.
"At first, we talked about creating a musical, but having a bilingual musical in London is full of challenges, as it was very difficult to bring together British actors who are excellent but, of course, don't sing in Arabic," Khashoggi clarified. "It felt almost like we were putting together a jigsaw puzzle."
She then proposed a concert format instead, explaining: "I felt this would be more appropriate considering the size and importance of Mohamed Abdel-Wahab's work."
She added that the family was already engaged in a process of rearranging his songs and was working with Fatma Said and the Egyptian maestro Nader Abbassi, along with the music composer and orchestrator Ahmed El Mougy.
Mohamed Abdel-Wahab is one of the most famous musical figures in the Egyptian and Arab music scenes. Described by Arab music experts as a giant composer, singer, and actor, his career spanned over seven decades.
Of particular interest for a Western audience is the fact that Abdel-Wahab was also a bridge builder between the Middle East and the West.
His repertoire, created and performed over the years, included Western rhythms, tunes, and styles.
He revolutionized classical Arabic musical structures and collaborated with and mentored the region's superstar singers, including Um Kalthoum and Abdel-Halim Hafez.
For internationally renowned Fatma Said, her love for Abdel-Wahab’s music goes back to childhood. She shared that she always loved his music and wanted to sing his songs in an operatic way.
"He had a big influence on my classical music career, and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Abdel-Wahab family on this exciting project that seeks to introduce his music in a new light. [I’m] creating a sort of fusion between Abdel-Wahab music and opera," she told Ahram Online.
In a multi-layered collaboration, the Abdel-Wahab family was of paramount importance.
Omar Khalil, the head of the Abdel-Wahab Estate and his grandson, explained that bringing his grandfather’s music to London and introducing it to an international audience is a dream come true.
"And doing so at the iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Fatma Said, Nader Abbassi, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and Mona Khashoggi makes it a little extra special," Khalil commented.
"We are filled with excitement to present his music in a symphonic format while maintaining the identity of his timeless compositions," he concluded.
Mona Khashoggi, head of UK-based Mona Khash Productions.
(Photo: Sue Shaheen)
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