Kenz Al Dunya Play by Ashraf Abdel Baky to Spotlight Disabilities

Actor Ashraf Abdel Baky will present a new social comedy play, ‘Kenz Al Dunya’ (‘Treasure of the World’), starting next week. The play puts the spotlight on people with disabilities and special needs, with a plot that features a person with Down syndrome played by an actor with Down syndrome.

Considered the first and largest local theatrical work involving people with disabilities, Kenz Al Dunya is organized by Egypt’s United Media Services in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Work Shop and Tazkarti. 

The play explores the societal view of people with disabilities through the lens of a middle-class family who discover their child has Down syndrome. Addressing the lack of diversity of representation in the performing arts, the role of the child will be played by actor Amr Hisham, who also lives with Down syndrome.

In addition to the diverse cast of actors with disabilities, the play will be joined by household names Ashraf Abdel Baky, Abram Samir, Ali Al-Masry, Malak Yasser and Sharif Hosni. Baky will not only be starring in the play, he’s also directing it on stage. The television premiere of the performance on DMC, meanwhile, will be directed by the legendary Saeed Hamed.

Kenz Al Dunya is written by Issa Jamal and Walid Hindi. The theme song is written by poet Ayman Bahjat Qamar, while the set is designed by Dr. Mahmoud Sami.