“Zenobia, Queen of the East” at Alexandria Opera House

26 December 2023

Within the Ministry of Culture’s strategy to promote all forms of creativity and innovation, the Cairo Opera House, under the supervision of Dr. Khaled Dagher, presents “Zenobia, Queen of the East”, a performance by Forsan Al-Sharq Heritage Company at Alexandria Opera House “Sayed Darwish Theatre” on Thursday, 28 December 2023 at 8 p.m. The production is choreographed and directed by Karima Bedair; story by Mohamed Zenati; music by Ahmed Al-Nasser; set and costume design by Anis Ismail.

The performance depicts Queen Zenobia, the strong and beautiful Arab female ruler, who is famous for her bravery and numerous victorious military campaigns. She expanded the realm of her kingdom from the shores of the Bosporus in Turkey to the banks of the Nile in Egypt, making it one of the most powerful kingdoms in the East.

The main roles are featured by: Mai Rizq (Modern Age Woman), Sherif Sobhi (Death), Hamada Shosha (Life),Yasmin Badawi and Donya Mohamed (Zenobia), Fatima Al-Shabrawy (The Oracle), Mohamed Helal, Ibrahim Khaled, and Nader Jamal (Aurelianus), Abdel Rahman Desouki (Odaenathus), Hana Moustafa (Court Dancer), Noor Omar and Hani Hassan (King of Persia)and Ashraf Kodak (Darkness).

Forsan Al-Sharq Heritage Company was established in 2009 by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to rediscover and embody Egyptian and Arab heritage through the art of modern dance. Performances creatively reinterpret this rich legacy through innovative choreographies set in a historical and dramatic context. In 2010, the Company was affiliated to the Cairo Opera House and made its debut with “The Greatest Street” Performance. Since then, performances of the Company have garnered favorable acclaim and success among the Egyptian audience. Currently, Essam Azzatis artistic direction of Forsan Al-Sharq Heritage Company.