Reviving the Golden Era: Umm Kulthum's Legacy Through Musical Theatre

Aug 19, 2026

66 min

Aug 19, 2026 16:31

A dream of Arab music: Celebrating Umm Kulthum’s enduring legacy

## A Tribute to Umm Kulthum

In March 2020, London's Palladium Theatre hosted a unique musical celebrating the life of Umm Kulthum, the iconic Egyptian singer. The production, crafted by Mona Khashoggi, combined English dialogue with Arabic songs, drawing a diverse audience. The show featured performances by Umm Kulthum’s granddaughter, Sanaa Nabil, and Syrian soprano, Lubana Al Quntar, and was met with enthusiastic applause.

## A Dream Realized

For Khashoggi, the play was a personal dream, inspired by her childhood surrounded by Arabic music. Growing up in Beirut and London, she was influenced by the elegance of Egyptian musicals. Her goal was to revive this golden era for both Arab and Western audiences, showcasing the cultural richness of the past.

## Challenges and Success

Creating a bilingual musical presented challenges, but Khashoggi's determination led her to write the script herself, with input from Middle Eastern playwrights in London. Despite the hurdles, the production was a learning experience and a success, encouraging Khashoggi to explore other creative projects.

## Future Endeavors

Following the musical's success, Khashoggi ventured into novel writing and produced a modern dance show, "Sinbad the Sailor," blending traditional and contemporary elements. Her future plans include touring the musical and working on a Saudi-themed project, continuing her mission to celebrate and share Arab culture with the world.

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