History of Arab Theatre

It chronicles the beginnings of Arab theater. The years of World War I had their repercussions in Egypt, with martial law declared and restrictions on lighting in theaters and nightclubs imposed. The streets were also filled with British soldiers, who were occupying the country at the time. Despite these circumstances, this period witnessed a revival of Egyptian theater. The book's author, Fouad Rashid, believes that during this period, the greatest obstacles to Arab theater were overcome with the emergence of the first Egyptian actress, Munira al-Mahdiyya. She was considered one of the most famous Egyptian singers of the early twentieth century. She was a strong competitor and a major obstacle to the rise of Umm Kulthum, who was dubbed the "Sultana of Tarab" due to her powerful and captivating voice.