Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Shakespeare’s “King Lear” opens at Egypt’s National Theatre
The National Theatre in Cairo has launched a new production of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “King Lear.” The opening took place on Tuesday, July 8, at 9 p.m., with celebrated Egyptian actor Yehia El-Fakharany in the starring role.
The production boasts a stellar cast including Tarek Desouky, Hassan Youssef, Ahmed Osman, Tamer El-Kashef, Amal Abdallah, Iman Ragai, Reem Abdel Halim, Tarek Sharaf, Mohamed El-Azzayzi, Adel Khalaf, and Mohamed Hassan.
The creative team features makeup by Islam Abbas, choreography by Diaa Shafik, music by Ahmed El-Nasser, lighting by Mahmoud El-Husseiny, costumes by Ola Ali, and set design by Hamdi Attia. The Arabic translation is by Fatma Moussa, and the show is directed by Shadi Sarour.
“King Lear” will run every week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Cairo’s historic National Theatre.
During the press conference, leading actor Yehia El-Fakharany expressed gratitude to influential figures in his career, including Dr. Farouk Hosny, Dr. Hoda Wasfi, and the late actor Mahmoud Yassin. He recalled his emotional connection to the National Theatre, especially his heartbreak following a fire at the venue and his lasting love for the iconic space.
Audiences are invited to experience this timeless play, brought to life by some of Egypt’s finest theatrical talents.