Obituary: El-Sayed Radi (1935-2009)
THE VETERAN director-actor El-Sayed Radi died Friday, following an extended illness that cut short the filming of a television drama.
Born in the province of Gharbiya in 1935, Radi graduated from drama school in Cairo in 1960; immediately he embarked on a directorial career on stage. Though perhaps better known for his film and television parts, in which he developed a remarkable persona, Radi's principal achievement was his contribution to the theatrical revival that took place on state-supported stages through the 1960s.
He was to maintain his strong connection with the cultural establishment throughout his life, holding a range of positions from head of the Comedy Theatre to deputy minister. Radi was the director of the General Union of Performing Artists when he died.
Yet in addition to his association with the state, he also directed many plays on the commercial, comedic stage. The best known among these include Intaha Al-Dars Ya Ghabi (Lesson finished, stupid) and, with comedian Ahmed Bedeir, Al-Sa'aida Wasalu.
Radi will also be remembered as a film and television actor. He performed with Adel Imam and Youssra in the horror film Al-Ins wal Jinn (Humans and Djinns) and played prominent parts in the fantastical series Alf Laila (A Thousand Nights) and espionage show Ra'fat Al-Haggan.
A service was held for Radi at the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque in Mohandessine, whence his funeral departed. He will be sorely missed by performers and viewers alike.
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