George Abiad

George Abiad
(1880 - 1959)

George Abiad is the pioneer of serious drama in Egypt, a landmark and a turning point in the history of Egyptian theatre. During his rich dramatic career, he played immemorable theatrical performances, in both Arabic and French, including Oedipus, Louis, Othello, Father Le Pionard, Saladin, Heliopolis, Heart of a Woman and Al Hakim Bi Amr Allah.

Birth and Education:

• George Abiad was born in Beirut, Lebanon on May 5,1880.

• He pursued his schooling until he obtained his high school diploma (Baccalaureate).

• He was so fond of acting that he played a key part in a French language-play. The French actor Jean Fraig, who had once performed the same part on the Paris Theatre admired Abiad's performance after attending the show and found him a promising actor.

Career:

Abiad left Beirut for his favorite city: Alexandria , Egypt where his uncle lived.

In Alexandria he made his first contact with the Egyptian theatre. He used to make frequent visits to Sheikh Salama Hegazi's Theatre, which he wished to join.

On July 29,1904, George Abiad travelled to France to join the Conservatoire. In Paris he met Sarah Bernard, the famous French actress, and became a habitual visitor of her "Salon". He also met Ya'qoob Sannou, the founder of the Egyptian theatre and press, who was deported from Egypt.

In France, Abiad managed to learn much from the pioneers of French theatre. He met the French notable star Suilivan, attended the Comedie Francaise and attained many diplomas in theatrical direction, decoration and acting.

On May 10, 1910, George Abiad returned to Egypt. Two days later, his French troupe presented "Horace" on the Khedive Opera House Theatre. Then, he presented " Charles VI", which was attended by a host of distinguished artists and state dignitaries, including nationalist leader Saad Zaghloul.

In 1911, George Abiad was commissioned by the then Minister of Education Saad Zaghloul, to arabicize education in Egypt.

Abiad told Zaghloul that the best way was to start with the theatre. Accordingly, Abiad disbanded his troupe and sent them home. For one full year, Abiad was busily engaged in arabicizing and setting those plays previously performed in French.

He Placed an advertisement in the press for the selection of the best talents for his troupe.

He encouraged men of letters to dedicate their efforts to translation and creative writing. One of the first plays translated for his Arabic - language theatre was Oedipus the King . As soon as Abiad's Arabic language- troupe was formed, it premiered with " The Wounded of Beirut", a one-act poetic drama by Egypt's eminent poet Hafez Ibrahim commonly known as " The Poet of the Nile". This was followed by several other Arabic - language plays. Abiad's Arabic language plays brought about a dramatic revolution which was intended to :

• Change the conception of art as a mean profession.

• Open the Opera house doors to Egyptian dramatic troupes.

• Initiate the foundation of Egyptian dramatic troupes.

• Write plays in classical Arabic.

• Transfer the achievements of European theatre to Egypt. Many of the above goals were actually achieved by George Abiad. In addition, he managed to introduce music into his plays, giving rise to musical compositions to enhance historical dramatic performance. Moreover, Abiad's works raised classical tragedies to top-high levels.

• The cast of Abiad's troupe included Egypt's top stars, such as Naguib El Reehani, Muhammad Abdel Qoddous, Bishara Wakeem, Hussein Riyad, Abbas Fares, Sayyed Darweesh and Dawlat Abiad.

• In 1914, both George Abiad's and Salama Hegazi's troupes were united into one troupe, called the Abiad / Hegazi Troupe. Its premiere was " Saladin ". For the first time, day performances (matine) were introduced.

• George Abiad introduced Om Kolthoum, who later became Egypt's top singer, to perform during the intervals. A drama institute was founded with Zaki Tulaimat as dean and George Abiad as professor of dramatic and tragic acting.

• In 1935, the Government-owned National Troupe was founded with Abiad as a cast member. The troupe presented its premiere "The Cave Dwellers" by Tawfik Al Hakim on the Opera House Theatre on October 15,1933.

In 1943, George Abiad was elected first chairman of Theatre and Movie Actors' Syndicate.

In 1944, Abiad was appointed professor of performance at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Acting, established in the same year.

In 1952, Abiad was appointed manager of the Egyptian Troupe, the first in this capacity after the July 1952 Revolution.

In recognition of Abiad's achievements, a bust of the artist was erected at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts garden and a similar one at the National Theatre grounds in Cairo, together with a memorial plaque bearing his photograph at the Opera House Theatre.