Medhat El Adl: Umm Kulthum’s biography will not be a standalone project Medhat El Adl: Presenting biographies in a contemporary dramatic style

Following the major public success of the play “Umm Kulthum.. Dying in the Voice of the Lady”, Egyptian screenwriter Medhat El Adl revealed the outlines of his upcoming artistic project, confirming that he is continuing to develop a series of theatrical productions inspired by the biographies of Arab music icons, reintroducing them on stage.

El Adl explained in media statements that the experience of portraying Umm Kulthum’s life—whom he described as the “fourth pyramid”—will not be an isolated stop, but rather the beginning of a broader artistic journey aimed at reviving the stories of several figures who left a deep impact on Arab cultural memory through modern theatrical treatments that speak to new generations.

Prominent names

He noted that the list of proposed figures for upcoming works includes major names in Arab music history such as Abdel Halim Hafez, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Baligh Hamdi, and Warda Al-Jazairia, considering them a cultural and artistic legacy worthy of documentation and stage celebration.

El Adl stressed the importance of presenting these biographies in a contemporary dramatic approach that blends documentary depth with human storytelling, reflecting the significant influence these artists had on shaping Arab musical taste over decades.

This direction follows the notable success of “Umm Kulthum”, which depicted the journey of the “Star of the East” from her beginnings in a village in Dakahlia to becoming one of the greatest icons of Arab and global music, highlighting the human and artistic milestones that shaped her legendary status.