CAIRO: The Egyptian censorship authority approved a play criticizing the government after its director agreed to delete scenes depicting President Hosni Mubarak as well as other controversial scenes of a political nature. The play, Kolo Fel Balala (Total Mess) was initially barred by the censorship authority, until director Rami Qetan reached an agreement with them that involves deleting the scenes they deemed controversial.
The authority also had concerns regarding the play s title, however Qetan, who is also a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), would not compromise.
They insisted on removing these scenes saying that the theater is different from the movies, even though we are not criticizing the president, Qetan told Daily News Egypt.
He explained that the scene they axed showed President Mubarak listening to the lead character s problems and promising to solve them.
Qetan said that they rejected the use of lines such as We need safety, freedom and fairness which, according to the censorship authority, implies that Egyptians are in a desperate state. It is proof of our ignorance, Qetan said.
Because I’m an NDP member, they wondered how I would direct a play criticizing the situation in Egypt. I actually sent a note to Gamal Mubarak and Safwat El Sherif asking them if the democracy we are taught in the NDP is real or just a fantasy, but I didn t receive a response.
Qetan said that he is currently looking for a sponsor for the play and is planning its debut during Eid El Fetr.
