"The Prefect" performance

I might be very late with writing this post, but better late than never!
My last performance in Cairo Opera House was called "The Prefect" (or "El Wali" in arabic). It is a  dance performance inspired by Egyptian history, in particular a famous governer from the 18th century. He was a self-declared king of Egypt and part of Sudan, but he was actually of Albanian origins. So in some ways you can say he was a foreigner who reached the highest position in Egypt - a ruler or a prefect. If you want to read more about him, check out this page.
Our performance looks like a Hollywood movie made about old Egypt! It is contemporary but so entertaining in the same time. The difference between the contemporary dance we know in Europe and here is that here it's directed to the general public, it's made clear enough for even children to understand, but stil exciting and full of action for the adults. The costumes and stage decor is very showy so You do feel you are in a 3D movie - these are the comments we have gotten from our audience.

I will leave you with some photos on and off stage and some comments with them and Im sure you will be inspired yourself! Enjoy!

With the poster in opera garden

Stage rehearsal

Having sheesha in the king's chair

Salah in his "mameluks" costume

The opening dance of the performance was chess

The Prefect

The mameluks trapped inside king's palace (PS. You can see Salah in the very middle)

The war dance. Egyptians against saudies

Kaidi in village people's clothes

The British colonial army in the back

The harem of Mohamed Ali Pasha. Im the third girl from the front

Kaidi as the harem girl


The next photos are from "Cotton dance"! This reflects a significant economical improvement that Mohamed Ali made during his rule. He invested a lot into the Egyptian cotton industry to make it more profitable for the country including the start of exporting Egyptian cotton to the world. I was given a solo role as the cotton catterpillar, probably because this was the "weird" role. Egyptians are not so keen on roles like these, they prefer to have pretty costumes and fancy make-up. Good for me, right! I love the awkward and the unusual!

PS! People have been wondering about my green lipstick. I will reveal my secret and tell you it's
not a lipstick, it's my eye-shadow:) 

With some of the character in backstage. Mohamed Ali Pasha is on my right.

Mean while in the dressing room Kaidi was getting ready to become a worm:)

Look who is crawling onto the stage! Well actually I was skating onto the stage, they gave me a camouflaged roller-skate so I could make a smooth entrance, it looked amazing!

Worm stage action

Worm stage action 2

Surrounded by butterflies

Taking a bow

The End