What would you do if you had to divide all your possessions between your children, but punished the one who refused to flatter you?
That is where Shakespeare’s King Lear begins.
Centuries after it was first written, the tragedy of an aging king and his three daughters continues to find new audiences, including in Cairo, where Egyptian actor Yehia El-Fakharany, as king Lear, has made the role his own across the past two decades.
Now, as his latest King Lear continues its run at the National Theatre, the production offers Cairo audiences a chance to experience one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies live on stage.
In August 2026, the play celebrated its 200th performance, with reported box-office revenues exceeding EGP 6 million (USD 118,000) which is a strong indication of the audience interest surrounding the production.
Directed by Shady Sorour, the production presents William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with El-Fakharany in the title role, alongside a cast that includes Amal Abdallah, Eman Raga, and Lekaa Ali as King Lear’s daughters. The script was translated by Fatma Moussa.
The King Lear currently on stage in Cairo is not Yehia El-Fakharany’s first time playing Shakespeare’s tragic king. He first portrayed Lear in 2001, directed by Ahmed Abdelhalim, at Egypt’s National Theatre in Attaba, making the role one he has returned to across more than two decades.
It has now been 25 years since El-Fakharany first took on the role of King Lear. The production has evolved considerably since its beginnings, including changes in its directing and cast, but El-Fakharany has remained at its center.
After 2001, El-Fakharany brought the play back in 2019, then again in July 2025 which is the production that is currently ongoing at the moment.
What makes the current production particularly striking is that, at his present age, he is now much closer in age to the character he plays, bringing a different weight and perspective to Lear’s story.
So, what is King Lear about?
At its heart, Shakespeare’s tragedy follows King Lear, an aging ruler who decides to divide his wealth and kingdom among his three daughters.
He asks each daughter to express how much she loves him. While his two older daughters flatter him, his youngest daughter refuses to play along. Lear responds by disinheriting her, setting off a chain of betrayal, power struggles, and devastating consequences.
The story explores themes that feel surprisingly familiar such as power, greed, betrayal, family, pride and the consequences of making decisions without seeing the people around you for who they truly are. The National Theatre describes the production as a contemporary artistic presentation of Shakespeare’s enduring text.
There is a difference seeing King Lear on stage from simply reading Shakespeare’s work. The story is built around relationships, confrontations and emotional breakdowns which are topics that gain an entirely different dimension when experienced live.
Why see it in Cairo?
For one, you are getting to see one of Egypt’s most established actors take on one of theatre’s most demanding classical roles.
Price wise, it has remained relatively accessible compared with many entertainment options in Cairo, with tickets currently priced at EGP 60 (USD 1.18), EGP 80 (USD 1.57), and EGP 110 (USD 2.17).
The play is currently scheduled at the National Theatre, in Attaba,every week, from Thursday to Sunday at 9 p.m. Tickets are available through the theatre’s box office, which opens from 4 p.m. Unfortunately, tickets cannot be purchased online at the moment.
The theatre has previously stated that booking is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving earlier is the safer option if you are planning to attend a popular night.
Two important tips to keep in mind is that the theatre has warned that booking stops when the performance begins, and audiences are not permitted to enter after the curtains are open.
So, if you are making an evening of it, do not plan on arriving at 9 p.m. on the dot.
The Cairo theatre experience
It is particularly fitting to watch King Lear at the National Theatre, a historic Cairo theatre venue, rather than experiencing Shakespeare solely through a classroom, a book, or a screen.
Whether you already know the tragedy or are encountering Shakespeare for the first time, the production offers a chance to see a major Egyptian actor tackle an enduring theatrical classic, surrounded by a full ensemble and a live audience.
And with the production now being on and off for decades, King Lear is no longer simply a play that has opened in Cairo. It has become part of the city’s current theatre-going experience.
The opinions and ideas expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Egyptian Streets’ editorial team.
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