New Cameri Theatre Play Explores Life of Egyptian Cinema Icon Leila Mourad
A new musical drama at the Tel Aviv Cameri Theatre explores the dramatic life of Egyptian-Jewish cinema icon Leila Mourad, examining her stardom, identity, and 1979 interview.
The legendary Egyptian cinema star Leila Mourad is the subject of a new musical drama premiering at the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv. Born Lillian Mordechai to a Jewish family in Egypt, Mourad rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s, captivating millions with her voice and films before converting to Islam to secure her place in the local film industry.
A Complex Legacy and Historical Context
Set in 1979 against the backdrop of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's historic visit to Israel, the play entitled "Leila: The Story of Leila Mourad" explores the artist's life through the prism of an interview with a persistent journalist. The narrative examines her glittering career, her conversion, and the painful allegations of espionage for Israel that overshadowed her later years following her divorce.
Written and performed by actress and singer Yaffa Tusia Cohen, a distant relative of Mourad, the production was conceived following the events of October 7. Tusia Cohen, the daughter of renowned Egyptian-Jewish singer Faiza Rushdi, draws upon her own familial heritage of navigating Arab-Jewish identity in Israel. Directed by Alma Weich, the production also features Assaf Avraham Niv and includes live performances of Mourad's timeless classics alongside her mother's archival recordings.
