Theater dies or a funeral is born?

Act I:A Struggle Between a Dying Culture and Blazing Greed

---

**Scene 1:**

In Fuad Al-Hanouti's funeral home office, cluttered with papers and funeral equipment, Fuad sits with Jamal Al-Namas.

**Fuad:** (smoking a cigar, speaking in a colloquial dialect, sitting behind his brown leather desk chair) "I passed by the theater today, Jamal. It is indeed a masterpiece! But it will be of no use to anyone."

**Jamal:** (laughs sarcastically) "You're right, Fuad. What good is a theater in a city like Al Olma, drowned in markets and goods, bustling with people chasing the mirage of happiness and immense wealth? The people here are of two kinds: those obsessed with their money, thinking about how to increase it and protect it from the greed of relatives and strangers, and those obsessed with the money of others, trying to catch up with the first kind... Everyone is a slave to the dinar... Cursed is the slave of the dinar!"

**Fuad:** "But I have a solution, Jamal. A vast and luxurious space like that, in a prime location. I'll turn it into a mourning hall! We'll make a fortune out of it!"

**Jamal:** (responds quickly without thinking) "Excellent idea, Fuad! But it needs to be regulated. We'll need a permit from the municipality."

**Fuad:** "Let's work on it together, Jamal. With my connections and yours in the municipality, we can arrange it."

---

**Scene 2:**

In the auditorium, Nasreen Al-Ilmiya and Rashid Rashfa sit on the chairs of the transformed theater.

**Nasreen:** (looking sadly at the stage) "I can't believe they turned this cultural landmark into a mourning hall! This act is unbearably cruel!"

**Rashid:** "I know, Nasreen. This is proof of the officials' ignorance and lack of culture."

**Nasreen:** "We cannot stay silent about this. We must do something to save the theater!"

**Rashid:** "I agree, but what can we do? Fuad Al-Hanouti is a powerful man, and Jamal Al-Namas is a corrupt person who only cares about money."

**Nasreen:** "We won't give up, Rashid. We will try to raise awareness about the importance of theater and its historical role in the advancement of nations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, for instance, theater played a significant role in the rise of nations and their liberation from colonization. Playwrights depicted the sufferings and aspirations for freedom of their people, igniting the spirit of resistance. The Egyptian theater played a crucial role in the national renaissance, criticizing British colonialism and calling for independence. Similarly, the Indian theater spread social and religious reform ideas and contributed to India's liberation from British colonization. South African theater also played a vital role in the struggle against apartheid, advocating for equality among all races."

**Rashid:** (interrupting Nasreen) "I know all that, Nasreen, but what can we do?"

**Nasreen:** "We fight Fuad and Jamal's plans with all our might."

---

**Scene 3:**

In the square in front of the theater, a large crowd of city residents gathers. Organized by Nasreen and Rashid, they protest against the plan to turn the theater into a mourning hall.

**Nasreen:** (giving an inspiring and passionate speech) "Brothers and sisters, this theater is not just a building of stones, but a symbol of our culture. It is a beacon that enlightens our minds and enriches our souls. Today, it is turned into a mourning hall, and tomorrow it will be demolished to make way for malls and markets, just like other landmarks before it. When it is demolished, not only stones are destroyed, but a great part of our memory and identity is also lost. This silence is an unforgivable crime."

**Rashid:** (firmly) "We cannot allow this cultural monument to be turned into a mourning hall. We cannot let Fuad Al-Hanouti's greed bury our culture."

**A protester:** "You are right, Rashid. This theater belongs to us, and we will not allow anyone to violate it."

**Another protester:** "We refuse to turn the theater into a mourning hall! We want a theater that offers us art and culture!"

(The crowd chants slogans condemning Fuad's plan.)

---

**Scene 4:**

In the mayor's office, Jamal Al-Namas faces the anger of Al Olma's residents.

**A citizen:** (angrily) "We are fed up with your corruption, Jamal, and your silence on Fuad Al-Hanouti's greed."

**Another citizen:** "We will not allow you to turn our theater into a mourning hall. We will defend our right to culture."

**Jamal Al-Namas:** (nervously) "Calm down, my friends, calm down. I will try to talk to Fuad Al-Hanouti and find a solution that satisfies everyone."

(The citizens leave the mayor's office, leaving Jamal in a state of confusion.)

---

**Scene 5:**

In Fuad Al-Hanouti's luxurious mansion, Jamal Al-Namas tries to convince Fuad to back down from his plan.

**Jamal Al-Namas:** (anxiously) "The city has risen, Fuad. People are angry. We cannot continue with this project."

**Fuad Al-Hanouti:** (stubbornly) "I cannot back down, Jamal. I have invested a lot of money in this project."

**Jamal Al-Namas:** (thoughtfully) "What if we offer people a compromise?"

**Fuad Al-Hanouti:** (curiously) "What do you mean?"

**Jamal Al-Namas:** (cunningly) "We can divide the theater into two sections: one for plays and one for funerals. This way, we satisfy everyone and make profits at the same time."

**Fuad Al-Hanouti:** (admiringly) "Brilliant idea, Jamal! You're a genius. Although this division might mean losing a lot of money, what theater are you talking about, man? And what art and culture! Forget the talk that brings no benefit."

(They shake hands with deceitful smiles.)

---