“The Handbag” and “The Definitive Way to Get Rid of Stains” | Egypt
October 22nd, 2025
Written by Marwa Farouk, Rasha Abdelmoneim
Translated by Dina Amin
Directed by Tina El Gamal
In partnership with Egyptian American Society
Synopsis
The Handbag is a sharply witty and poignant one-act play inspired by an Egyptian joke. It centers on a young woman wearing a niqab who must undergo a thorough security search of her handbag at a government facility. As the security officer probes the contents—ranging from keys to family members, musical instruments to social struggles—the handbag becomes a symbolic microcosm of the woman's complex life, reflecting societal pressures, personal hardships, and cultural contradictions. Through their exchanges, the play explores themes of identity, privacy, gender norms, religious conviction, and the everyday resilience of women navigating bureaucratic and social challenges. With humor and pathos, *The Handbag unravels the tension between tradition and modernity in contemporary Egyptian society.
The Definitive Way to Get Rid of Stains: is a poignant and metaphor-rich solo play exploring the emotional aftermath of betrayal. A woman in her mid-thirties navigates her pain and resilience through the symbolic act of cleansing stains—both literal and metaphorical. Juxtaposing the ritual of removing stubborn stains with memories of love, abandonment, and shattered trust, the play delves into themes of identity, vulnerability, and healing. Through vivid imagery, costume changes, and intimate monologues, the woman confronts the complexities of love and loss, ultimately reclaiming her self-worth and finding catharsis in letting go. This work masterfully blends symbolism, emotional depth, and dark humor to portray the transformative journey from betrayal to self-renewal.
