Drowning in Cairo by Adam Ashraf Elsayigh

It is May 2001 in Cairo. Moody, Khalid, and their servant Taha are on the Queen Boat, a gay nightclub docked on the Nile. When an unexpected police raid results in the arrest and public humiliation of the attendees, the lives of these young men are altered forever. Drowning in Cairo weaves budding romances, class differences, and familial expectations into a loving portrait of three men who all struggle to...
It is May 2001 in Cairo. Moody, Khalid, and their servant Taha are on the Queen Boat, a gay nightclub docked on the Nile. When an unexpected police raid results in the arrest and public humiliation of the attendees, the lives of these young men are altered forever. Drowning in Cairo weaves budding romances, class differences, and familial expectations into a loving portrait of three men who all struggle to rebuild their lives against all odds.
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Drowning in Cairo

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    28 Sep. 2023
    “ An absolutely brilliant play that weaves through time as we look at the lives of three gay men. ”
  • Rachel Bublitz:
    18 Apr. 2022
    “ I count myself very lucky to have caught the Golden Thread production of "Drowning in Cairo." Such rich and complex characters, with a story that pulls at you from every imaginable angle. I mourn for the young joy I wish the characters were able to have. Funny and bitter sweet, with many images that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend reading or seeing a production of this play if you are given the opportunity! ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    1 Aug. 2020
    “ In a world where the lie of killing your wife is preferable, how are you expected to cope when you're out of the closet? Under an oppressive political regime, the only thing to do is insight change at great personal sacrifice through getting the story out there. Well done. ”
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Moody: male-identifying, effeminate, short, lanky, know-it-all;
Khalid: male-identifying, buff;
Taha: male-identifying, reserved, questioning, ambitious.

All three character were born in 1983 in the same Zamalek street. The play is set between 1997 and 2015 so the characters are portrayed in different points in their lives between 14 and 32.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    NYU Abu Dhabi’s Arts and Humanities Festival
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Golden Threads Productions' New Threads Festival
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    National Queer Theater
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Independent Production in Cairo, Egypt
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Indian Ensemble Theater
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    National Queer Theater's Criminal Queerness Festival
    ,
    2019

Awards

Selection
,
Selected Play
,
Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Semifinalist for National Playwright’s Conference
,
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
,
2019