Egyptian Extravaganza!

So last night I went to the Egyptian Extravaganza. My friend and classmate Soha was the producer of this immersive theatre piece. It was an enjoyable evening. The show is a work-in-progress and they are looking to develop the piece further but I am so proud of what they accomplished and on a shoestring budget. The performers were delightful. They were bubbling with energy and welcomed the audience in with open arms.

What makes a theatre piece immersive is the audience is actually in the environment of the show. In this case, we were ushered into the lower level of the venue and entered a series of rooms that were decorated with rich fabrics and furnishing representing Egypt. Trinkets and props were places around the rooms, electric candles flickered and there was even the fragrance of incense in the air. Upbeat music from the 1920s played and the audience mingled and soaked up the atmosphere. Then the actors burst onto the scene and the show began. They represented a multitude of characters from ancient Egypt and from the 1920's when British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tut and put him on display for the world to see. Carter's exhibit helped to create a fashion frenzy in 1920's Europe that brought Egyptian inspired consumable goods to the shops and closets of the trendiest.

As the play compared the true history with the fictionalized plots that ended up in films and pop culture of the 20's, the question arose about cultural appropriation and where are the ethical boundaries when celebrating a culture of which one has no experience. The show was presented in a fun and light hearted tone but did bring the audience to some questions worth contemplating in the end. Well done to Soha and her company!

This week is all about the writing. It's countdown time and this research paper needs to be completed and polished. I'll keep you posted!
Take care!
-m