| Arabic Electronic Mail Journal |
| London Phone: (0044) 07 919 021 409 |
| Egyptian Art and Culture |
Edited by S Suwellam, London, UK /
| Naguib El-Rihani, the Egyptian theatre's philosopher (1890-1949) |
Naguib El-Rihani is one of the most celebrated, popular and highly-acclaimed figures of the Egyptian theatre.
Throughout the first half of the 20th Century, he rendered great contributions to the development of the Egyptian theatre
movement. He introduced a new trend of a sublime comedy that uses words, phrases and situations to make people
aware of the social issues around them and not only to make them laugh.
Throughout the first half of the 20th Century, he rendered great contributions to the development of the Egyptian theatre
movement. He introduced a new trend of a sublime comedy that uses words, phrases and situations to make people
aware of the social issues around them and not only to make them laugh.
His background.. Born in the public district of Bab El-Shaa'ria in 1890, his name was Naguib Ilyas Rihani. He
was born to a rich family, for a father of Iraqi origins and an Egyptian mother. Several years later, the father stunned the
family when he wrote a will to bequeath all his wealth to his orphan niece, justifying his decision that his son can work
and earn living while the orphan girl had no other option.
The father's decision had an impact on his son's life. Naguib El-Rihani hated injustice and brutality and dedicated his
plays and films to support social justice.
was born to a rich family, for a father of Iraqi origins and an Egyptian mother. Several years later, the father stunned the
family when he wrote a will to bequeath all his wealth to his orphan niece, justifying his decision that his son can work
and earn living while the orphan girl had no other option.
The father's decision had an impact on his son's life. Naguib El-Rihani hated injustice and brutality and dedicated his
plays and films to support social justice.
| His career: El-Rihani dropped off school when he was 16 years old, preferring to start his acting career. However, he was given a job at the Agricultural Bank in Cairo, but he was soon dismissed for the same reason. |
In the bank he was introduced to Aziz Eid, a leading theatre actor, who encouraged him to join his theatre company.
He worked as an amateur and played several minor roles in Eid's plays. El-Rihani's dream to be an outstanding
tragedian was not achieved. Instead he was destined to fame as an unrivalled comedian.
He worked as an amateur and played several minor roles in Eid's plays. El-Rihani's dream to be an outstanding
tragedian was not achieved. Instead he was destined to fame as an unrivalled comedian.
In 1914, he became a professional actor in George Abyadh's company, one of the most successful at that time. He
then moved to a theatre company established by Sheikh Ahmed El-Shami. He translated dramas from French and
participated in the group's plays.
then moved to a theatre company established by Sheikh Ahmed El-Shami. He translated dramas from French and
participated in the group's plays.
Two years later, he enjoyed a well-established fame after innovating the character of "Keshkesh Bec", the Umdah
(Mayor) of a small village named Kafr El-Ballas. Despite the sounding success of the plays based on this
character, he suddenly decided to immigrate to a Latin American country. He stayed there a short period and then
yielded to the nostalgia and returned to Cairo for good.
(Mayor) of a small village named Kafr El-Ballas. Despite the sounding success of the plays based on this
character, he suddenly decided to immigrate to a Latin American country. He stayed there a short period and then
yielded to the nostalgia and returned to Cairo for good.
Development of his Career: Naguib El-Rihani's career consisted of five stages. The first is known among
critics as Keshkesh Bec stage from 1916-1918. The second two-year phase started in 1918 and included several
show plays. Naguib El-Rihani also introduced many operettas in the third stage from 1920-1926. Critics identify
the fourth stage, from 1926-1936, as the "Diving Phase" because his plays indulged deeply in social issues. The
fifth and last phase included his masterpiece films and plays.
critics as Keshkesh Bec stage from 1916-1918. The second two-year phase started in 1918 and included several
show plays. Naguib El-Rihani also introduced many operettas in the third stage from 1920-1926. Critics identify
the fourth stage, from 1926-1936, as the "Diving Phase" because his plays indulged deeply in social issues. The
fifth and last phase included his masterpiece films and plays.
His work: El-Rihani laid down the foundation of the modern Egyptian theatre comic trend. He helped abolish
the old trends of comic plays which were based on the use of meaningless words and replaced it with a new trend
of the comedy of manners. He acted in some 100 plays and helped his friend playwright Badie Khairi to write
some of these plays.
the old trends of comic plays which were based on the use of meaningless words and replaced it with a new trend
of the comedy of manners. He acted in some 100 plays and helped his friend playwright Badie Khairi to write
some of these plays.
His works outlined his views towards different social and political issues, opposing the tyranny of the royal court and
seeking to change the characteristics of the capitalistic classes. He also responded to the wavering public support to the
national revolution of 1919. He cooperated with legendary composer Sayyed Darwish in presenting an operetta
highlighting the revolution.
seeking to change the characteristics of the capitalistic classes. He also responded to the wavering public support to the
national revolution of 1919. He cooperated with legendary composer Sayyed Darwish in presenting an operetta
highlighting the revolution.
El-Rihani's greatest contribution to the Egyptian theatre was given through the theatre company he formed with playwright
Badie Khairi. The company performed some of the best landmarks in the history of the Egyptian theatre.
Badie Khairi. The company performed some of the best landmarks in the history of the Egyptian theatre.
After attaining success in theatre, he began a new career in the movie industry, performing in a number of most
appealing and popular films. He reached the peak in
his last movie, "Gazal El-Banat," which he died before completing.
El-Rihani's company toured Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia. He also gave performances to the Arab
communities in Latin America. Although Naguib
El-Rihani's plays mainly focused on the problems and conditions of the Egyptian society, he found that several theatre
companies in Syria, Brazil and Argentine had
adapted the character of Keshkesh Bec.
EL-Rihany theatrical troupe
It was established during the World War 2, El-Rihany invented the character of "Keshkesh Bec" the Mayor of a small
village named Kafr El-Ballas, then he
moved with his troupe to a theater named "The Renaissance".
He established a new theater and presented his lyrical novels Hamar wa Halawa "Roses Cheeks".
Naguib El Rihany disagreed with Amin Sedki, his play writer, which led to the split of the latter. Naguib El Rihany
appointed his friend George Sheftish and
discovered later that he has no idea about Zagal (popular verse).Then he appointed Badie Khairy instead and
presented the play under his name, this was the
beginning of their friendship.
He decided to present lyrical novels in cooperation with Badie Khairy and Sayyed Darwish and the first novel was Alla
Kifak (Suit yourself).
Naguib employed the most famous female singers at that time as Fatheya Ahmed.
He presented during the 1919 Revolution the novel of "The Good Ten" which echoed extensively.
Naguib was acquainted with Badi’a Masabni, then he employed her in his group and she succeeded greatly.
He travelled to Latin America and succeeded there. After his return he constituted a new group to act on Dar Eltamthyl
AlAraby theater, as he introduced a
new sort of novels as "The Geese’s Consul".
He reconstituted his group, and acted on Al-Brnitnia Theatre, among its heroines was Aziza Amir. Naguib traveled in
an art tour to North Africa and returned
to Egypt in 1935. He rented Ramses theater and continued to work there till the end of his life in 1949.
Mary Moneib joined the group in 1936.
His personal life:
El-Rihani married famous Lebanese actress-singer Badiea Masabni. They divorced two years before his death. He was
involved in several love stories with
French actresses, but he refused to leave Egypt for France to join their theatre companies. He died on June 8, 1949,
causing the millions of fans he used to amuse to
cry for the first time
**SIS.EG
appealing and popular films. He reached the peak in
his last movie, "Gazal El-Banat," which he died before completing.
El-Rihani's company toured Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia. He also gave performances to the Arab
communities in Latin America. Although Naguib
El-Rihani's plays mainly focused on the problems and conditions of the Egyptian society, he found that several theatre
companies in Syria, Brazil and Argentine had
adapted the character of Keshkesh Bec.
EL-Rihany theatrical troupe
It was established during the World War 2, El-Rihany invented the character of "Keshkesh Bec" the Mayor of a small
village named Kafr El-Ballas, then he
moved with his troupe to a theater named "The Renaissance".
He established a new theater and presented his lyrical novels Hamar wa Halawa "Roses Cheeks".
Naguib El Rihany disagreed with Amin Sedki, his play writer, which led to the split of the latter. Naguib El Rihany
appointed his friend George Sheftish and
discovered later that he has no idea about Zagal (popular verse).Then he appointed Badie Khairy instead and
presented the play under his name, this was the
beginning of their friendship.
He decided to present lyrical novels in cooperation with Badie Khairy and Sayyed Darwish and the first novel was Alla
Kifak (Suit yourself).
Naguib employed the most famous female singers at that time as Fatheya Ahmed.
He presented during the 1919 Revolution the novel of "The Good Ten" which echoed extensively.
Naguib was acquainted with Badi’a Masabni, then he employed her in his group and she succeeded greatly.
He travelled to Latin America and succeeded there. After his return he constituted a new group to act on Dar Eltamthyl
AlAraby theater, as he introduced a
new sort of novels as "The Geese’s Consul".
He reconstituted his group, and acted on Al-Brnitnia Theatre, among its heroines was Aziza Amir. Naguib traveled in
an art tour to North Africa and returned
to Egypt in 1935. He rented Ramses theater and continued to work there till the end of his life in 1949.
Mary Moneib joined the group in 1936.
His personal life:
El-Rihani married famous Lebanese actress-singer Badiea Masabni. They divorced two years before his death. He was
involved in several love stories with
French actresses, but he refused to leave Egypt for France to join their theatre companies. He died on June 8, 1949,
causing the millions of fans he used to amuse to
cry for the first time
**SIS.EG
