via Musicnation
The race for success between several diverse shows in Ramadan 2016 was intense, with some shows effortlessly drawing smiles on viewers’ faces and others tackling social, political, and psychological issues. Here are our picks for the best show performances of the Ramadan season that have not been surpassed to date!
Wannous
via Almasr Alyoum
Abdul Rahim Kamal’s adaptation of the German play Faust had us hooked from its premiere. After a person sells his soul to the devil and backs out mid-agreement, the devil sends out Wannous to destroy his life. To deal with the complexity of the play, director Shady Al Fakharany focuses on the minor details in his characters to help us fully understand the motives behind their every action. Additionally, Yahia Al Fakharany’s charisma coming from years of experience explains his ease in delivering an embodiment of Satan with a manipulative, malicious, and delightful performance.
Grand Hotel
via Mobtada
Tamer Habib delivered another hit based on the Spanish show of the same name, which had us eagerly awaiting the release of each episode. The simplicity of the dialogue, making us laugh at times, took our breath away. The show’s smoothness and flow of events allow you to dissociate from reality and get lost in the ambience with utmost entertainment. The show still had a depth that excited minds but required minimal mental strain compared to other shows.
Nelly and Sherihan
via Filfan
The best comedy show to date aired many years ago, in 2016. Viewers experienced numerous interconnected storylines on an adventure with the sisters, with every few episodes focusing on a stand-alone story with a special cameo. The show’s ticket to success was its comedic lines refraining from situational and improvisational comedy. Aside from its entertaining aspects, the show delivered a powerful message of the power of humanity in uniting everyone, regardless of their social levels.
Afrah AlQoba
via Facebook
Adaptations of literature into movies and TV shows grant major success. This adaptation of Naguib Mahfouz’s titular novel offered a broad canvas for director Mohamed Yassin to paint the underrated masterpiece. The storyline frequently changed with different perspectives to emphasise the idea of relativity of the truth with no definite proof of the events. The non-linear narration of the show in parallel with the events of a stage play provided an effortless flow back and forth between the past and present.
El-Caesar
via Ngmisr
Youssef El Sherif’s success over the preceding three years excited us for this 2016 thriller. The show’s distinctive soundtrack, brilliant acting, and out-of-the-box ideas led to its success. However, the numerous directing errors and unrealistic portrayal of the Egyptian police had viewers questioning the credibility of the plot.
Al Ostora
via Alghad
This show’s impact on its audience was unbelievable, with viewers sympathising over the main character’s trial, anxiously awaiting the verdict, and celebrating when he was set free. However, many considered it a weak series due to the protagonist’s similarity to Mohamed Ramadan’s previous characters. Others expressed their dissatisfaction with the nature of inappropriate dialogue and their fear of the emergence of violence among youths that tune into Ramadan shows.
Foq Mostawa El Shobohat
via Shorouk News
Youssra rebelled against the roles she typically played in her previous shows with the part of Rahma. Instead, she starred as a deliberately violent and evil human being who harms and manipulates everyone around her due to an accumulation of traumas and tribulations from childhood.
Al Mizan
via Youm7
Al Mizan showcased the ongoing dilemma of media manipulation and corruption by presenting a lawyer who fights for justice. In a series of ambiguities that unravelled along the episodes, viewers were kept on the edge of their seats, anticipating what could happen next.
