Wallace’s feverish play opens at Falaki mainstage
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| FEVERISH: (L) Adhan Zidan, Amira Gabr and Ahmed Omar slip into their roles on the Falaki mainstage. |
The Fever Chart: Three Visions of the Middle East, a play by internationally acclaimed playwright Naomi Wallace, will be performed by the performing and visual arts department (PVA) at the American University in Cairo’s (AUC) main stage theatre from March 13 till March 19, making Egypt the first country in the region to hold a production for this particular play
The play is directed by Frank Bradley, PVA professor, and performed by students from the theatre department at AUC. Wallace has attended the opening night, in addition to watching some of the rehearsals during her visit to AUC.
“The opportunity to bring the playwright here was a major reason for choosing that play. It’s a rare chance that something like this happens,” said Bradley.
The Fever Chart consists of three mini-plays, each taking place in a different location in the Middle East; the first is called “A State of Innocence,” the second is “The Retreating World” and the last one is “Between this Breath and You.”
“We didn’t have any changes to the original script. The playwright is here so we chose not to make any changes,” added Bradley.
Preparations for the play began towards the end of January and despite the hectic schedule, students participating in it have enjoyed the process.
“We don’t see [the schedule] as an obstacle or something that makes us tired. We’re used to it,” said Noha Gaafar, stage manager for The Fever Chart and theater junior.
“Having a bad schedule is part of being a theatre major. It’s hectic but I’m passionate about what I’m doing and even though we finish rehearsals at 11 p.m., we still find it interesting,” said Amina Khalil, a theatre junior and one of the actors.
Students are excited to be performing the play while the playwright is present to gain from her experience and use it to guide them.
“It’s turning out to be an unforgettable experience. Constructive criticism is good from any writer, and it’s even better when it’s from the writer of the play herself,” said Khalil.
Adham Zidan, a journalism and mass communication and theater senior, is excited about his role and eager to find out how the audience will perceive it.
“Having the playwright here is marvelous and it’s a privilege as an actor,” added Zidan.