For four decades, Egyptian actor Ashraf Abdel Baky has remained one of the country’s most enduring entertainers—not only as a comedian who has brought laughter to millions, but also as one of the strongest advocates for Egyptian theatre and a dedicated supporter of emerging talent. While many actors gradually shift their focus away from the stage after finding success in film and television, Abdel Baky has made theatre the cornerstone of his career. He sees it as the true school of acting, where performers sharpen their craft, build genuine chemistry with audiences and develop lasting artistic discipline. For him, success is measured not by ticket sales or the number of productions, but by the ability to present meaningful work that respects audiences and leaves a lasting impression. As he marks 40 years since making his stage debut in 1986, Abdel Baky is continuing that mission with his latest theatrical production on Egypt’s North Coast, combining sophisticated comedy with opportunities for a new generation of performers. In this exclusive interview with Daily News Egypt, he reflects on four decades in theatre, explains why the stage remains his first love, discusses the future of Egyptian theatre, and shares the philosophy that has guided his career. After forty years in theatre, what continues to inspire your passion? Thankfully, this year marks my 40th anniversary in theatre, having begun my journey in 1986. Theatre has never been just a profession for me—it is my life. Over the years, I have worked as an actor, director, producer and playwright, and every role has given me a new perspective. That constant variety keeps my passion alive, making every new production feel like a fresh beginning. I never think about the passing years; my enthusiasm simply continues to grow. You are currently presenting a new production on Egypt’s North Coast. Tell us about the idea behind it. The play is built around the humorous contrast between “The Good Coast” and “The Bad Coast”—a light-hearted concept inspired by the atmosphere of the North Coast and its visitors. We wanted to create an entertaining comedy that reflects everyday life in an enjoyable and relatable way. We premiered the play last Thursday and Friday, and thankfully the audience response exceeded our expectations. That reaction confirms that people still have a real appetite for quality theatre. Many productions choose to premiere during Riyadh Season, yet you decided to launch in Egypt first. Was that a risky decision? We deliberately chose to premiere in Egypt. Some people considered it a risk, but every meaningful step in life involves a degree of risk. Even crossing the street requires taking a chance. Every new project demands courage and confidence. If you truly believe in your work, you have to give it the opportunity to succeed. We believed in both the production and the Egyptian audience, so it was only natural to begin here. Some people believe several members of the cast are appearing in theatre for the first time. How accurate is that? That’s actually a misconception that I always like to correct. Every performer in this production already has theatre experience. Karim Afifi performed with me in more than 150 performances of “Masrah Masr”. Ahmed Abdel Wahab and Ibrahim Mohamed have also appeared with me before. Donia Samir Ghanem and Astona both have successful theatre backgrounds as well. As for the fourteen young performers from Alexandria, each has previous experience through amateur theatre, independent productions or short plays. We are not introducing inexperienced performers—we are giving talented artists a bigger stage. You have long been known for supporting young talent. Why is that so important to you? Because art survives only when new generations are given real opportunities. Young artists bring fresh ideas, new energy and different perspectives. Early in my own career, people believed in me and opened doors for me, so I consider it my responsibility to do the same for others. Real success isn’t about succeeding alone—it’s about helping create the next generation of stars. How do you balance acting, directing and producing at the same time? I’ve taken part in nearly one hundred theatrical productions, and that experience has taught me how to manage these different responsibilities. More importantly, I genuinely love what I do, and passion makes every challenge easier. But no theatre production succeeds because of one person. Theatre has always been, and will always remain, a team effort. Are you considering a stronger return to cinema, particularly film production? I’ve experienced film production, and it was certainly worthwhile. But my heart will always belong to theatre. Nothing can replace the immediate connection between performers and audiences. Hearing people laugh or applaud in real time creates a feeling unlike anything else, and that’s why I always return to the stage. Has your relationship with audiences changed over the years? Absolutely. At the beginning of my career, I was focused on proving myself. Today, after forty years, I feel a much greater responsibility towards the audience that has supported me throughout this journey. My goal is always to present work that respects people and is worthy of the time they spend coming to the theatre. Real success, for me, is seeing audiences leave happy. With the rise of streaming platforms and digital entertainment, can theatre still compete? Without a doubt. Theatre offers something no digital platform can replicate—the direct interaction between performers and audiences. Technology may change the way people consume entertainment, but no screen can recreate the emotional experience of live theatre. As long as meaningful productions continue to be made, theatre will always have an audience. Audiences have noticed that your comedy deliberately avoids vulgarity. Is that a conscious choice? Absolutely. Genuine comedy doesn’t rely on crude language or exaggerated behaviour. It comes from intelligent writing, well-crafted situations and strong performances. I’ve always believed that laughter should have value and that families should be able to enjoy a performance together without discomfort. That principle has guided me throughout my career. After forty years on stage, what has theatre taught you? Above all, commitment. Theatre doesn’t tolerate delays or excuses. It has also taught me the importance of teamwork. No matter how famous an actor becomes, no one succeeds alone. Every successful production is the result of collective effort, and that remains one of the greatest lessons theatre has given me. How do you see the future of Egyptian theatre? I’m genuinely optimistic. Egyptian theatre has an extraordinary legacy, but it must continue evolving while preserving its identity. Audiences are still there—they love theatre—but they want productions that entertain them while respecting their intelligence. The better the work we produce, the stronger audiences will return, and we’re already beginning to see that happen. What advice would you give to young people hoping to pursue a career in theatre? Theatre requires passion, patience and perseverance. Artists should never stop learning or developing themselves, and they should remain open to new ideas without compromising the fundamentals of the craft or their respect for audiences. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I encourage every talented young person who is willing to work hard because sincere dedication is always rewarded. After four decades of success, what dreams remain? A true artist never stops dreaming. I still hope to create productions that reach even wider audiences and continue discovering new talent because that has become an essential part of my mission. As long as I can create work that brings joy to people and contributes something meaningful to the arts, I’ll keep moving forward. Finally, what message would you like to share with your audience? I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout these forty years. You are the reason any artist continues to grow, and theatre exists because of its audience. I look forward to seeing you at future performances, and I hope we continue creating productions worthy of your trust, support and affection. God willing, the journey will continue. The post Ashraf Abdel Baky: Theatre is my life, real success lies in respecting audience first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.
