LONDON: A musical inspired by the life of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum is being staged in London’s West End as a “gift” to the “Star of the East,” who died before she could fulfil her dream of performing in the city.
Saudi-born theater producer Mona Khashoggi said that Umm Kulthum told an interviewer in Paris before her death in 1975 that she had been invited to sing in the UK capital.
“But, sadly, she fell ill and died before she could realize her dream. So this is my gift to her,” Khashoggi told Arab News during rehearsals in London.
“Umm Kulthum and the Golden Era” has been produced and written by Khashoggi, one of Saudi Arabia’s first female theater producers.
The lead role in the musical tribute will be played by acclaimed Syrian opera singer Lubana Al-Quntar. Umm Kulthum’s great grand-niece Sanaa Nabil will also feature in the show.
#WATCH: Syrian opera singer Lubana Al-Quntar sings parts of #UmmKulthum’s classic hit “Enta Omri” during rehearsals for a musical inspired by the legend’s life that is being staged in #London’s West End https://t.co/mjKCliK5UP pic.twitter.com/6H568W7o2r
— Arab News (@arabnews) February 22, 2020
Khashoggi, who is passionate about reviving and preserving Arabic culture and heritage in the West, said the musical is not based on the star’s life but, rather, inspired by it. The show focuses more on the younger Umm Kulthum, her private life and early career.
In a quest to discover more about the “Nightingale of the Nile,” Khashoggi traveled to Egypt, where she spoke to Umm Kulthum’s family and friends, and to the families of Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Baligh Hamdi, who both composed songs for the future star.
“So I have created a story and I hope the audience will like it. It’s also an opportunity to showcase different music and instruments. Preserving and reviving our culture is my aim. This is entertainment, and there is dancing and acting — it is fun.”
The musical will include Umm Kulthum’s most popular works from a career spanning five decades. Songs will be performed in Arabic, while the dialogue will be in English, providing a rare insight into the life of the woman who overcame the odds to become Egypt’s biggest star during the “Golden Era” of Arabic classical music between the 1940s and 1970s.
“As a woman, Umm Kulthum inspires women to excel,” Khashoggi said. “You are talking about someone who, a hundred years ago, came from a simple village and became a legend. Her songs mean a lot to us, and her words and way of singing are full of emotion.
“To me, she represents the Arab world and also home. I think we are very nostalgic about her and that’s why I brought her to London. There are many different Arab nationalities here, so she reminds us of home.”
“Umm Kulthum and the Golden Era” will debut at the London Palladium on Mar. 2, 2019, for one night only, but Khashoggi hopes that the show will go on to tour “the Middle East, Europe, America, Canada and Australia.”
“It is the first big production in English about an Arab legend and the singing is in Arabic, so I’m hoping the audience will enjoy it.”
Khashoggi said that she is confident the musical will raise awareness of Umm Kulthum and classical Arabic music among a Western audience as well as young people of Arab origin who have had little exposure to the legend.
“I wrote the story and put the music together, and I selected lyrics that sound easy on the Western ear. The show is sold out. I don’t know who bought tickets, but I hope it’s not just Umm Kulthum lovers, I hope Westerners will come and see something different,” Khashoggi added.
The producer compared “The Lady,” as the singer is also known, to Maria Callas. “People in Egypt gathered around the radio to listen to Umm Kulthum when her concerts were broadcast live on the first Thursday of every month,” she said.
“Umm Kulthum sings to everyone, she’s in every home and in every head in the Middle East. She is the only artist whose music is still alive in such a big capacity. People stop their work and everything else to listen to her; she reminds us of home.
“She is not just the voice of Egypt, she is the voice of the Arabs and our queen. I’m honored to bring her to London.”
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