Le Guess Who? en Centraal Museum presenteren: Wael Shawky - Drama 1882

During this period (1879—1882), the Egyptian army rebelled against increasing European influence. In 1882, the rebellion was suppressed by the British, who then occupied the country until 1956.

The events are cast in the form of an opera and at the same time function as a history lesson and an analysis of the current global political situation. The work investigates who has the power to label someone or a group as a terrorist, resistance fighter or hero. Due to the slow movements of the performers, the scenes look like moving paintings in which the various actions manifest themselves.

Sung in classical Arabic by professional performers, Shawky plays with the different layers of meaning of the term “drama” in this work. On the one hand, it evokes the atmosphere of theater and entertainment; on the other hand, it represents catastrophe and the fundamental doubt about the reliability of historiography. Shawky composed the music himself and also wrote the lyrics.

Wael Shawky (1971, Alexandria) grew up in Mecca and later studied in the United States. He has a strong interest in themes that affect changing societies. With his work, he offers space for alternative histories and sheds new light on issues of migration and justice, viewed from a contemporary perspective.

Drama 1882 was purchased jointly by the Bonnefantenmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the Centraal Museum. The presentation in Utrecht is the first time that the work is shown there.

Le Guess Who? x Central Museum

Since 2019, the Centraal Museum and Le Guess Who? their powers to connect art and music. The collaboration brings fresh perspectives to light, for festival-goers and museum visitors.

Le Guess Who? is an annual international music festival in Utrecht that presents artists and sounds that are barely heard on other stages. Since 2007, the festival has taken place every November at various locations in the city, such as TivoliVredenburg, EKKO and Theater Kikker. During the festival, the Centraal Museum will also transform into a unique festival location. In the historic city museum, festival-goers discover a new, adventurous program at the intersection of visual arts and music every year - always free of charge upon presentation of an LGW wristband.

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Practical information

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