On the commemoration of 50 years , Reda ‘s Troupe stumbled the audience here in Alex in a three consecutive days duration of marvel dancing and rocking reeling music .It is a memorial event to celebrate the foundation of Reda Troupe accomplishing its golden jubilee. Upon seeing the wide array of audience, Mahmoud Reda actually added more exquisiteness to the gorgeous beauty of their performance by dancing on the stage .May be just a moment , but the whole BA got on their feet applauding and out crying “Reda ..Reda''. And so I seized the chance to meet with Mahmoud Reda and so is the account: A Man of Dance who brims with ingenuity and life vivacious He is the founding director of Reda Troupe and the pioneer of dance theatre in Egypt. He is a Soloist, choreographer and director of hundreds of productions in more than 60 countries worldwide. He performed in world most prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall (NY, USA), Albert Hall (London, UK) and Congress Hall (Berlin, Germany).Most importantly, he is the most beloved and dearly loved gentleman of all generations by Egyptians, at all levels. It is Mahmoud Reda. -Have you ever dreamt of being a dancer, as a young boy? Well….may be yes and may be no. What I was really interested in was sports. I loved sports and I began playing sports at the age of 9. I began with swimming, then diving and finally gymnastics. Playing sports is very valuable especially at a young age for guys. It makes you learn how to be committed; self sacrificed and dedicated to your team. To me, Gymnastics helped me to such a great extent, with dancing, later on. Do you know that I even got the chance to go to the Olympics in Finland, as the representative of Egypt there at around 1957?!! - How did you come up with the idea of forming an Egyptian troupe (the very first Egyptian troupe of dancing in Egypt?) It was really difficult at the beginning to form a belly dancing troupe consisting of males and females. You see I am talking about 1958. At that time it was considered unacceptable because belly dancing had and, may be still have, a bad reputation. People usually regard Belly Dancing or “El Raqs el Baladi” as immoral and revolting kind of art. It, thus, took us some time and effort to make them believe that despite its bad reputation, it is morally not wrong. I think that there is no so called ‘'immoral art''. Each profession has its flows and has its ups and downs. You could not guarantee by any means that there is no theft, robbery and blackmailing lurking among top country's chairs. It really depends on who represents it and how. For example, poetry and cinema, these are arts, and they could be good or bad depending on how they are being presented. - So, how did you manage to succeed as a male dancer? Weren't you afraid of the hearsays which would be calling accordingly? A man, dancing?! What a disgrace!!!! We are presenting folklore which is basically formed of male and female dancers. I didn't create that. It is here in our heritage and culture. For example, in Upper Egypt, you have males dancing with sticks and with the horse soles. As for peasants Falahin, they have male dancers, accordingly. I shaped a kind of Folklore which they found suitable for them. -We have come to know that your flight to India in 1964, has made you learn your first lesson in dancing? All my life I have been searching, reading and travelling all around the world. In India, I was really affected by the way they appreciated art. They actually have a university of Art of teaching dancing in Kalakata. -How did the government support the troupe in the sixties and the seventies? I would like to pinpoint here that the government, after five years of forming the troupe in 1958, and after the great success we were blessed with in its blooming phase, only then did it realize that there is a so called “ Reda Troupe”. It was then only when it began to sponsor and to keep eye on us. The Troupe, thus, became one of the government's folklore dancing top troupes. -But the government's sponsoring did not meet Reda Troupe success, for we all know that the troupe had its downs when the government was fully and wholly in charge of? That's partly true, Amira, for the government, in such a period of time appointed dozens of employees in the troupe, of no use at all. They did us harm rather than did us any good. They weighed down the troupe with lots and lots of burdens that made the financial status of the troupe down along the scale. -What about now, we can see that there is still Reda Troupe for Folklore Dancing, which still performs on stages? How do you find them? Well, to tell you the truth, I am no longer a good spectator for I am now in charge of Reda Troupe, whose members and dancers are of world wide nationalities. There is a Reda Troupe in Finland, France, Italy and Swizerland, whose managing directors, were dancers and students of mine, of Reda Troupe, only. They do now perform in world most prestigious stages. As you see, here in Bibliotheca Alexandrina, they invited us to come and to present such an international show for a whole week. All female dancers are of foreign nationalities, while the male ones are from Egypt. -Sir, what was your best time, with Reda Troupe? Of course, in the sixties and the seventies. The troupe was escalating and rising up with top speed, in no time. We were all one team, loving, caring and so professional despite our young age; Aly, my brother, Farida Fahmy and more and more of the finest and most Egyptian classy youth. It was awesome. -That is the last question, really Sir. Do you still believe that there will be such a motive of dancing, as in your old days, spiralling in the young generation? You know this passion to dance and to love life, for its own sake? Well….mmmm… There is always a glimpse of hope I am always clinging to. I cannot say there is not but time has drastically changed. I believe there is .People need to have the guts and the audacity, and not be afraid of DANCING. I t is weird, is not it? Surely, it is Sir. People have become terrified of articulating and revealing who they really are. Myths and false traditions are constantly bringing them back. I have no idea, what will be brought about, in the few coming years. Just, let's hope for the better, and then the best. Thanks Sir, for your time Not at all, dear. Wishing you all the success.
