One of Egypt’s most celebrated actresses Soheir El-Bably has died at the age of 86.
Her career spanned more than 50 years – in the cinema, on stage and on television.
She played dramatic roles, but was perhaps best known and best loved for her skill in comedy.
Actors, directors and the many fans of El-Bably across the Arab world have been paying tribute to her as the queen of comedy and diva of the Egyptian stage.
For some, El-Bably’s name evokes nostalgia for what’s known as the golden age of Egyptian cinema in the 1950s and 60s – she worked with some of the most revered directors and acted with other legendary stars.
Later, she had great success on television – playing leading roles in some of the most popular series that are a staple of family life every Ramadan.
A tweeter shared photos of the actress:
It is on stage that many feel El-Bably made her greatest contribution – where her style matched the sly knockabout humour of the Egyptian theatre.
The dominance of Egyptian entertainment in the Arab world made her a household name across the region, with many now mourning her loss as if she were a member of their own family.
