Joining the international celebrations of World Theatre Day, which falls on 27 March, Cairo’s artists prepared their share of celebrations, to continue till 2 April, showcasing several theatre plays by the local independent troupes.

For Egyptian independent theatre, this occasion carries a number of additional important axes. This is the first such event organised by the special unit operating under the Supreme Council of Culture – one of the Ministry of Culture’s divisions –formed specifically to support Egypt’s independent theatre.

Moreover, the international celebrations coincide with the silver anniversary of Egypt’s independent theatre movement.

The celebrations launched on 27 March with an opening word by Amal El-Sabban, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Culture and board member of the independent theatre support unit.

A number of speeches from the independent theatre players followed, including words written by director Nora Amin and read by Sayed Fouad, as well as a speech by Hoda Wasfi, former director of Hanager Theatre and one of the well-known supporters of Egypt’s independent troupes.

The evening also comprised a reading of the Message of World Theatre written by the Russian director Anatoli Vasiliev specially for the occasion and translated and read by Hazem Azmi.

The message made available for download at the International Theatre Institute’s website points to how important theatre is in social and personal lives.

“Theatre can tell us everything… The theatre has always been, and it will remain forever…. It does not need any intermediary to work among human beings – it constitutes the most transparent side of light, it does not belong to either south, or north, or east, or west – oh no, it is the essence of light itself, shining from all four corners of the world, immediately recognisable by any person, whether hostile or friendly towards it,” read some of many statements from Vasiliev’s short note.

Vasiliev’s words create a strong echo in Egyptian independent theatre players, especially now as they celebrate their silver anniversary. It is a time when those artists are remembering the many years during which they always struggled to confirm their presence and demand the right to work freely.

Since 1990, Egypt’s independent theatre had asked the Ministry of Culture for support, and it was only during the tenure of former minister Gaber Asfour (June 2014 – March 2015) that the special fund addressing the independent troupe’s needs – on both logistical and financial levels – has been formed. It took the fund several additional months to actually begin operating.

Speaking of the independent troupe’s history, 1990 marks the moment when a dozen young theatre players objected to the Ministry of Culture’s decision to cancel an edition of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET) following the eruption of the Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991). It was at this moment, however, that a number of angry theatre players proclaimed their independence from the ministry-dominated theatre scene.

In response to the young theatre makers, renowned theatre professors and critics Menha El-Batraoui and Nehad Selaiha organised an alternative festival, favouring the shows of young, now-independent players.

Many years later, in August 2006, Selaiha recalled those days in an article published in Al-Ahram Weekly.

"The meeting [opposing the cancellation] soon took a political turn and developed into a brainstorming discussion of the state’s control of the arts, its subsidising policies and treatment of the artists who work outside government cultural organisations.

"The meetings continued through September, spawning a fiery manifesto written by Khaled El-Sawi, and culminated in the declaration of the birth of a Free Theatre Movement and the launch of its 1st Free Theatre Festival at the small hall of the Opera House on 1 October. Though a clear-cut definition of an 'independent' or 'free' theatre group was not laid down in those early meetings, it gradually emerged through years of hard work and much trial and error."

Among the crucial troupes of this movement were Khaled El-Sawy's 'El-Haraka', Tarek Said's 'El-Doe', Mohamed Abdel-Khaleq's 'Atelier El-Masrah', Abir Ali's 'El-Mesharati', and Azza El-Husseini's 'El-Ghagar'.

Twenty-five years have passed quickly, and troupes and performances have multiplied.

The independent theatre created a strong independent artistic movement. Rebellious and provocative, it relied in big part on self-funding by its members as well as the support of Hanager Theatre headed by Hoda Wasfi.

Theatre celebrations will extend for one week and will include numerous events. The programme includes performances marking the history of independent groups since the 1990s until now.

"Through the selection of these shows, we want to offer to the public a wide range of productions representing different generations of independent theatre. In addition, we will also hold video screenings presenting older theatre performances by the independent troupes,” commented Amr Qabil, director of the Fananeen Masreyeen (Egyptian Artists) group, which organises the events.

The opening performance was Thresholds of Homes – Tales from Upper Egypt, directed by Mahmoud Aboudoma and performed by the alternative theatre troupe.

The week will include numerous plays, video projections and an exhibition summarising Egypt's independent theatre’s 25-year history.

In addition, a series of workshops will be held.

Scenographer Hazem Shebl will lead a workshop at the Opera House Malak in Ramsis, and actor Hamada Shousha is organising a pantomime workshop at El-Ghouri centre.

Director Gamal Yakut will give a theatrical production workshop at the Supreme Council of Culture, while comedic actor Ahmed Mokhtar will hold an acting workshop at the Osiris art space.

Those interested in attending are to contact the locations holding the events.

Plays performed during the celebrations
Hanager Arts Centre, Cairo Opera Grounds, Zamalek, Cairo

Monday 28 March, 8pm
Fragments from the performances by El-Qafela troupe, directed by Effat Yehia

Tuesday 29 March, 8pm
‘Three performances and one troupe,’ directed by Mostafa Hozein

Wednesday 30 March, 8pm
Oscar and the Lady in Pink, directed by Hany ElMetennawy

Thursday 31 March, 8pm
Plastic Dream, directed by Shady El-Dali

Friday 1 April, 8pm
I Am Now Dead, directed by Hani Afifi

Saturday 2 April, 7pm
Stories of the Nile, directed by Gomaa Mohamed.

Saturday 2 April, 8pm
Still Here, an evening with Al-Warsha troupe, directed by Hassan El-Geretly  

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