A look at Egyptian political theater, with valuable insight into what often cannot be otherwise openly expressed in the Middle East.
- U.S. Marines, actors armed with wooden assault rifles, storm into the theatre cafe even before the audience has taken its seats, harassing, searching and intimidating them to set the mood for a performance meant to raise the spectre of American occupation.
Elsawy’s agitprop production, ”Messing with Minds,” is now in its third month at a small stage in the grounds of the Cairo Opera House … the play, which is running well past its original slot in the theatre’s programme, reflects the deep scepticism in the Arab world about U.S. intentions in the Middle East and goes way beyond what Egyptian politicians are willing to say in public.
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