Hotter Than Egypt by Yussef El Guindi

No matter where you live, the ups and downs of married life are universal. For a middle-aged American couple traveling to Egypt on a business trip-slash-vacation, their relationship is put to the test when an old connection leads to new temptation. Drawing from the political, cultural and religious realities of living in the region, this fiery drama set in the heat of Cairo pits loyalty against attraction as...
No matter where you live, the ups and downs of married life are universal. For a middle-aged American couple traveling to Egypt on a business trip-slash-vacation, their relationship is put to the test when an old connection leads to new temptation. Drawing from the political, cultural and religious realities of living in the region, this fiery drama set in the heat of Cairo pits loyalty against attraction as its characters grapple with the ever-changing realities of staying committed to their partners.”
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Hotter Than Egypt

Recommended by

  • Suzi Elnaggar:
    20 Dec. 2023
    “ "Hotter than Egypt" masterfully captures the nuances of post-revolution Egypt, set against the backdrop of economic turmoil and superficial Western tourism in the Middle East. The play focuses on two white characters, each chasing their own 'Eat, Pray, Love' experience. They fail to see the Egyptians they encounter as complete individuals, instead using them as tools for self-improvement. This nuanced play offers a critical examination of cultural interactions, skillfully revealing the deeper implications beneath its surface narrative. It's a poignant commentary on the objectification of people in the pursuit of personal growth, presented with subtlety and depth. ”
  • Anna Tatelman:
    5 Apr. 2023
    “ I saw this play at ACT in 2022 and absolutely loved it. The ways in which the two couples lives intersect and collide are exquisitely portrayed. The script touches upon a myriad of socio-political issues -- the U.S. military industrial complex, intersectionality, and inter-racial relationships, to name a few -- without ever veering toward didactic or preachy language. Bonus, I learned a lot about modern Egypt! ”
  • Molly Wagner:
    11 May. 2020
    “ A great play about complex relationships and desires. I appreciated getting to see the different viewpoints of Egypt and discovering what is needed to build a life. ”
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Required:
2 female and 3 male actors.

Of those 5 actors:
3 Middle-Eastern, or Middle Eastern-American actors (1 woman, 2 men), and
2 European-American actors (1 woman, 1 man) are required.

Doubling: 1 Middle-Eastern, or Middle Eastern-American male actor will play 3 roles.

Awards

Winner
,
Henry Awards (Colorado), Hotter Than Egypt.
,
2023