The cultural activities have started gradually to reopen in the country. The reopening has included theatres, museums, galleries, national circus, which operate under the culture ministry. In its first stage, the resumption of activities opens at only 25 percent audience capacity across all venues. The ministry applies all precautionary and preventive measures with daily sterilization of the theatres in order to ensure the safety of the public, artists and workers.
The Cairo Puppet Theatre Next to the Al-Attaba Metro Station, Tel 02 2591 0954 Mahatet Masr (Egypt Station), a child play written by Mohamed Alzenaty and directed by Reda Hassanien (Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays, 7.30pm).
The Floating Theatre Abdel-Aziz Al-Saoud St, in front of Salaheddin Mosque, Al Manial, Tel 02 2368 4047, 012 8531 1358/ 0100 5233623 Small Theatre Afrah Alqoba, play produced by the Youth Theatre Company is based on Naguib Mahfouz novel bearing the same name. It casts Mohamed Youssef, 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 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm).
French Cultural Institute Madrasset Al-Huquq Al Frinseya St, Mounira, Tel 02 2791 5800 John, the first Arab world premiere of this theatrical show is presented by the French Institute and Orient Production, directed by Stanislas Nordey, with Damien Gabriac, Julie Moreau, written by Wajdi Mouawad, scenography by Emmanuel Clolus, lighting by Philippe Berthomé and produced by the National Theatre of Strasbourg (the show is translated into Arabic) (Friday 23 and Saturday 24, 8pm).
Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) Theatre Next to Balloon Theatre, Al-Agouza, Tel 02 3304 3187 The Accident, a comic play about a young man who kidnapped a girl and locked her at his house trying to force her to love him back. It casts Mido Abdel-Qader, Shaimaa Abdel-Nasser, costumes by Ahmed Farag, décor by Mohamed Fathi, written by Lenin Al-Ramly and directed by Amr Hassan (Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm).
Grand Nile Tower Corniche Al-Nil, Garden City, Tel 16826 Sabaheya Mubaraka, is a new type of plays with two acts representing a different form of comedy starring Ali Rabeia, Os Os, Seliman Eid and directed by Ashraf Abdel-Baqi (22, 23, 24, 9pm).
Malak Opera Theatre 9 A Khalig Al-Khour St, Azbekiya district, Ramses, Tel 0122 3417152 Ahwal Shakhsiya (Personal Affairs) play is produced by The Youth Theatre. The play tells female stories through actresses who explain their sufferings that caused them to become statues. It casts Lamiaa Gaafar, Nada Afifi, décor and costumes by Ahmed Aslaman, lighting by Ezz Helmy and directed by Ashraf Hosny (Performances run daily, 8pm).
Metropol (The Children's National) Theatre 6 Halim St, the beginning of 26th July, Attaba, Downtown, Tel 02 2593 3334 Hawadeet Alaragouz (The Clown's Tales), a play for children casts Randa Kotb, Adel Alkomy, Mahmoud Amer, written by Randa Ibrahim and directed by Mohsen Alazab (Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 7pm).
The International Park Madinet Nasr District Amm Yaqout (Uncle Yaqout), a play performed by Al-Shams (The Sun) Theatre Company for talents with special abilities starring Heba Asaad, Rahma Mahgoub, Ahmed Mohamed, idea by Wafaa Alhakim, written by Rahma Mahgoub and directed by Youssef Abu-Zeid (Performances run on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, 7pm).
Naguib Al-Rehani Theatre 17 Emad Al Din Street, downtown, Cairo, near cosmos cinema Tel, 02 25913697, 02 25892103 El Locanda (The Hotel) is the first Sitcom to come to a stage with star comedians Ashraf Abdel-Baki, Hamdy Almarghani, Wizzo, Diab, and a group of stars. Costumes by Hala Zahwi, music by Ahmed Elmogui, décor Mahmoud Sami, lighting by Mustafa Ezzeddin, idea and directed by Ashraf Abdel-Baki (22, 23, 24,29, 30, 31 October, 8.30pm).
Al-Qawmi (The National) Theatre Al Attaba Square, in front of Attab Post Office, Cairo, Tel, 02 25917783 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. The play casts Sameh Hussein, Sahar Al-Saygh, Ahmed Siyam, Ayat Magdy. The play is an adaptation of Candide Voltaire's The Optimist, directed by Islam Imam (Performances run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm)
El-Sawy Culturewheel End of 26th of July St, under the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448 River Hall (No entry without a mask and the hall will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity) Elwasaya Alsabaa (The Seven Commandments), a play inspired by Mohamed Amin Rady's book carrying the same name and performed by Shazaya Theatre Company. It is written by Noureddin Abdallah, dermatology by Mohamed Shaaban and directed by Nour Afifi (Monday 26 October, 7pm).
Taliaa Theatre Attaba Square, Tel 02 2593 7948 Zaki Tolaimat Hall Recycle, an improvisation show tackles the idea of the possibility of recycling the expired man to restore humanity through a group of sketches about social issues like marriage, education, and sexual harassment. Its directed by Mohamed El-Sagheir with Ahmed Raouf's music, Monadel Antar's choreography and Abeer El-Badrawy's styling (Performances run daily except Tuesdays, 8.30pm).
*A version of this article appears in print in the 22 October, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
