The 10th Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children (2-12 March) Hakawy celebrates its 10th anniversary through 66 International performances, and 22 shows from seven countries. Featuring Egyptian premieres, acclaimed international performances, Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children 10th edition is the perfect opportunity for children and their grownups to explore arts and culture together. This year, the festival takes over three cities, El-Minya (2 and 12 March), Cairo (3-10 March) and Alexandria (8-9 March), presenting shows that incorporate object theater, puppet theater, physical theater, music, storytelling shows and contemporary dance across thirteen venues (AUC's Tahrir Cultural Center, Hanager Arts Center, Historic Cairo, Darb1718, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the French Institute in Alexandria and Jesuit Centre in El-Minya etc.) Hakawy's 10th edition includes twelve international shows from Netherlands, USA, UK, France, Germany and Canada in addition to seven Egyptian performances including four Egyptian premieres and two film screenings. The festival includes a Dutch focus with four performances, an American focus with three performances in addition to a side program of special projects, the master-classes, workshops and talks led by the Egyptian and international artists.
For the first time there'll be shows suitable for children until the age of eighteen. (For more information and reservation flock to www.ticketsmarche.com).
The Cairo Puppet Theatre Next to the Al-Attaba Metro Station, Tel 02 2591 0954 Sahsah Lama Yangah (When Sahsah Succeed), a representation of a puppet theatre play for children that was first produced in 1963, written by the late Salah Jahin, music composed by the late Mohamed Fawzi and directed by late director Salah Al-Saqqa (Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 6.30pm).
Falaki Theatre American University in Cairo, Downtown Campus, 24 Falaki St, Downtown Cairo, Tel 012 88721446 Nouraplay brings the experience of Iraqi refugees to the stage through the compelling story of Noura and her Chaldean Catholic family who fled their home in Mosul, Iraq eight years ago to the United States. As the family celebrates Christmas and their new life in New York City, a visit from a young Iraqi refugee from their hometown stirs up memories they had tried to leave behind and forces them to confront where they are, where they've been and who they've become.Nourais inspired by the stories and lives of Arab-American women and loosely based on Ibsen's A Doll's House(Thursday 27 and Friday 28, 7pm).
The Floating Theatre Abdel-Aziz Al-Saoud St, in front of Salaheddin Mosque, Al Manial, Tel 02 2368 4047, 012 8531 1358/ 0100 5233623 Main Theatre Hob Rayeh Gai(unstable love), a play presented by theComedy Theatre casts Rashwan Tawfik, Ahmed Sayam, Donia Abdel-Aziz, Fatema Adel, Maysara and many more. Its written by Sameh Othman with décor by Mohamed Hashem, lighting by Ibrahim Alforn, costumes designed by Donia Alhawary, choreography by Alaa Abul-Ala and directed by Yasser Sadek (Performances run daily, 9.30pm). Small Theatre Afrah Alqoba, play produced by the Youth Theatre Company is based on Naguib Mahfouz novel bearing the same name. It casts Mohamed Tamer, Samar Allam, Fatema Adel, Mena Nabil and many more. Décor and lighting by Amr Al-Ashraf, costumes designed by Abeer Badrawi, movement designs by Monadel Antar. It is written and directed by Mohamed Youssef Almansour (Performances run daily, 7pm).
Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Theatre Next to Balloon Theatre, Al-Agouza, Tel 02 3304 3187 Fatayar Altofah (Apple Pies), a play belongs to the mental theatre and tackles the issue of Adam and Eve starring Tayseer Abdel-Aziz, Ahmed Al-Rafie, décor by Fady Fokia, music by Ahmed Al-Nasser, written by Amgad Abul-Ala and directed by Mohamed Metwaly (Performances run daily except Mondays, 8pm).
Heliopolis Library Heliopolis Library Theatre, Misr Al-Gedida, Tel 0100 4820875 El Zahr lama Yelaab (when the dice plays with you)play starring comedian Samir Ghanem, Shereen, is written by Ahmed Al-Ebiaryand directed by Tarek Al-Ebiary(27, 28 and 29 February, 9pm).
Malak Opera Theatre 9 A Khalig Al-Khour St, Azbekiya district, Ramses, Tel 0122 3417152 Albakheel(The Miser), a play based on Molière's work. It casts Ashraf Tolba, Mahmoud Metwali, Suzanne Medhat, Noran Abdel-Hamid and many more. Décor by Rania Al-Dakhakhny, costumes designed by Nardeen Emad, shows choreographed by Sherly Ahmed, and directed by Khaled Hassouna (Performances run daily except Mondays, 7pm).
Metropol (The Child National ) Theatre 6 Halim St, the beginning of 26th July, Attaba, Downtown, Tel 2593 3334 Hawadeet Al-Aragouz(Tales of Al-Aragouz) children play starring Randa Kotb, Adel Alkomy, Adel Khalaf, Magdy Eid, music by Wael Awad, décor and costumes designed by Iman Alsheikh, written by Randa Ibrahim and directed by Mohsen Alazab (Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays until Thursday 27 February, 7.30pm).
Miami Theatre Talaat Harb St, next to Miami Cinema, Downtown, Tel 02 2574 5651 Rasayal Ala'oshaq(The Lovers' Messages), a romantic-comedy play about the daily problems that face married couples and lovers; it's performed by the Comedy Theatre Company.It casts Moufid Ashour, Zeinab Alabd, Reem Al-Masry, Yara Al-Melegui, George Ashraf, choreography by Monadel Antar and costumes design by Heba Abdel-Hamid, music distribution by Mohamed Al-Kashef, written and directed by Mohamed Ibrahim (Performances run dailyexcept Tuesdays, 8pm).
The National Circus 27 Abdel-Khaleq Tharwat, Cairo, Tel 02 3347 0503 Offering a number of entertaining performances, including clowns, trained dogs, lions and horses (Performances run daily except Wednesdays, 9.30pm).
Naguib Al-Rehani Theatre 17 Emad Al Din Street, downtown, Cairo, near cosmos cinema Tel, 02 25913697, 02 25892103 Garima Fel Maadi(A Crime in Maadi), a play performed by a group of budding actors trained by comedian Ashraf Abdel-Baki, who is also the director. You'll enjoy two hours of nonstop laughing (28 February, 9pm).
Al-Salam Theatre 101 Qasr Al-Aini St, Tel 02 2795 2484/2794 3016/010 21521501 Qawaaid Al-Ashq Al-Arbaain(The Fourty Rules of Love), a play starring Bahaa Tharwat, Fawziya, Ezzat Zein, Dina Ahmed, singer Amira Abu-Zeid, religious chanter Samir Azmi, together with the Arab Mawlawiya troupe among others, with dramaturgy by Rasha Abdel-Moneim, music composed by Mohamed Hosni, décor Mustafa Hamed, costumes by Maha Abdel-Rahman and directed by Adel Hassan (Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 8pm).
El-Sawy Culturewheel End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448 WisdomHall Azmet Robaa (the crisis of a twenty five piasters), a play performed by Ranean Theatre Company (Monday 2 February, 7pm).
Taliaa Theatre Attaba Square, Tel 02 2593 7948 Salah Abdel-Sabour Hall Sabaya Makhadat Alkohl(Young Women of the Kohl Pillow), a play produced by the Taliaa Theatre Company. It's a representation of Makhadat Alkohl play which was first presented in 1998. It casts Samira Abdel-Aziz, Shahira Kamal, Rasha Samy, Naglaa Younis, together with Henna artist and singer Satouna and her troupe with décor and costumes designed by Naaima Agamy, dialogue written by Kawthar Ramzi, music and direction by Entissar Abdel-Fattah (Performances run daily,8.30pm). Zaki Tolaimat Hall Hareem Alnar (Women of Fire), a play produced by Taliaa Theatre Company. It's an adaptation of Spanish dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. It's about the life of women in Upper Egypt through telling the story of a mother and her daughters. It casts Aida Fahmy, Manal Zaki, Abeer Lotfy, Nashwa Ismail among others with décor by Mohamed Saad, costumes designed by Shaimaa Mahmoud and music composed by Mohamed Hosny. It's written by Shazli Farah and directed by Mohamed Mekki. (Performances run dailyexcept Wednesdays,9pm).
ALEXANDRIA
Beram Al-Tunsi Theatre Al-Gaish St, Al Azaritah, Qesm Bab Sharqi, Alexandria, Tel (03)5929960/5913835 The Optimist, a play revolves around the story of a person who overcomes obstacles and social illnesses to reach his goal through the merit of optimism. It casts Sameh Hussein, Sahar Al-Saygh, AhmedSiyam, Ayat Magdy. The play is an adaptation of Candide Voltaire's The Optimist, directed by Islam Imam (Performances run daily except Wednesdays,8pm).
*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
