After a ten-year absence from the stage, acclaimed Egyptian actress Hanan Motawie is making a powerful return to theatre in the upcoming play &ldquo;Hatshepsut: El Arsh w El Hob&rdquo;&nbsp;(The Throne and Love). While full details of the production are still under wraps, the title alone suggests a historical drama centered around one of ancient Egypt&rsquo;s most iconic female rulers, Queen Hatshepsut.
Motawie&rsquo;s comeback signals not only a major moment for her career but also a revival of Egypt&rsquo;s enduring fascination with legendary queens and pharaonic heroines.
The Comeback of a Queen
Hanan Motawie, known for her versatility and intense screen presence, has long been celebrated for her roles in both modern and period dramas. Now, she takes on a role steeped in history and symbolism: Hatshepsut, one of the most successful female pharaohs in ancient Egyptian history.
Though we&rsquo;ve seen queens like Cleopatra and Nefertiti portrayed on stage and screen over the years, very few productions have explored Hatshepsut&rsquo;s story in depth&nbsp;&mdash; making this theatrical project a much-needed addition to Egypt&rsquo;s dramatic canon.
Egypt&rsquo;s Queens on Stage and Screen: A Look Back
Motawie is not the first Egyptian actress to channel ancient royalty. Over the years, several notable performances have reimagined Egypt&rsquo;s most powerful women. Here are some of the most memorable:
Hind Sabry as Hatshepsut in &ldquo;El Kenz&rdquo;&nbsp;(2017 &amp; 2019) In this two-part historical epic directed by Sherif Arafa, Hind Sabry portrayed Queen Hatshepsut in a visually stunning recreation of the New Kingdom. Her performance blended strength and vulnerability, chronicling Hatshepsut&rsquo;s political ambition, spiritual beliefs and personal challenges in a male-dominated world.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iIKw5fSUVns" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
Amina Rizk as Cleopatra in &ldquo;Cleopatra&rdquo;&nbsp;(1943) Amina Rizk brought grace and gravitas to the role of Queen Cleopatra in one of Egypt&rsquo;s earliest historical dramas. While the film is now rare, it marked an important attempt in Arab cinema to tackle a complex queen often dominated by Western portrayals.
Lubna Abdel Aziz in &ldquo;Arous El Nil&rdquo;&nbsp;(Bride of the Nile, 1963) Though more of a romantic fantasy than a strict historical drama, Lubna Abdel Aziz&rsquo;s role as a resurrected pharaonic princess reintroduced ancient Egyptian femininity and mystique to modern audiences. The film, filled with references to royal customs and myth, gave a whimsical yet nostalgic nod to the past.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tFCPQBr-aCs" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
The Legacy of Pharaonic Women in Egyptian Art
Theatre and cinema in Egypt have long flirted with the mystique of the pharaohs, but queens have rarely taken centre stage. The revival of their stories through powerful female performances &mdash; especially in roles like Hatshepsut &mdash; is part of a growing trend to reclaim Egypt&rsquo;s ancient women as cultural icons, not just historical footnotes.
A New Era for Hanan Motawie &mdash; And for Egypt&rsquo;s Stages
As Motawie steps into Hatshepsut&rsquo;s sandals, she not only honors an ancient queen but also joins a small, powerful club of Egyptian women who have brought these legends to life.
In doing so, she reminds us that Egypt&rsquo;s past is still very much alive &mdash; not just in temples and tombs, but in the voices of artists who reimagine it for the stage and screen.
Photo Credit: Hanan Motawie's official page

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