Fujairah Monodrama Includes Interviews and Conversations with Actors

Mabrook!

In addition to staging a variety of theatre performances, the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival Organizing Committee is to be commended for including interviews with actors and playwrights which ensue in Q & A times and conversations in which the guests and general public can participate.

Friendships Thru’ the Arts

On the second day of the Festival the organizers organized a panel discussion (pictured) on the topic ‘Lifelong Friends’. Chaired by Festival Chairman, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Egyptian actors, Nour El Sherif and Ashraf Abdel Ghafour spoke of their friendship that has extended for decades and which was established and strengthened through their participation in the art world.

Significant Role of the Arts

These two actors spoke of some of the difficulties that they had faced at the beginning of their careers when they both worked on the television show Al Qahera Wa Annaas (Cairo and People). This show was a minute by minute account of Egyptian society in 1967. It was a critical era in the history of Egypt and the Arab world and acting in this television drama played a very significant role.

Unforgettable Memories

The popular Egyptian artist, Hani Ramzi, offered a review of his career in the arts and his visions for life and theatre.

Ramzi spoke of his love for political comedy that stemmed from his family in Egypt. His great-grandfather was a member of the 1919 revolution, his father was an active politician and some of his brothers were also engaged politically.

The Danger of the Arts

Ramzi said:

“My interest in exposing political concerns and the way I approached the subject in my work led to many problems that ended in his art works being permanently monitored by the authorities.”

Encouraging Others

He said that what he went through in his life taught him to always be a student for the artists around him like the distinguished Egyptian actress, Sameeha Ayoub.

He added that the Egyptian actor, Mohammed Subhi once told Ramzi that he reminded him of himself when he was young and just starting his career.

On the margins of these two discussions the Festival Director, Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, gave awards to the actors (pictured).

Thanks

These discussions were in Arabic. Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for some of the above content and to Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Revised Program of Fujairah International Monodrama Festival

The Friday Opening Ceremony was postponed until Sunday, causing a rejigging of the program.

Here is your copy of the Revised Program for the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival 2012.

Geoff Pound

Images: Top photo—from left to right, Ashraf Abdul Ghafour (talking into the microphone), Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani (chair) and Nour Al Sherif.

Bottom photo--from left to right, Mohamed Saif Al Afkham (Festival Director) presenting awards to Ashraf Abdul Ghafour and Nour Al Sherif.