Box office receipts from Egyptian plays have been dismal for the year to date, sinking 50 percent compared to last year, according to the Egyptian daily Al Masaa.
The revenues for a single day range from 12,000 to 35,000 pounds, but daily production costs are more than 25,000 pounds on average, meaning that the plays lose between 5,000 to 8,000 pounds daily.
This trend has forced theatre groups to cut back on TV advertisements.
The swan dive has not spared mega-comedy star Adel Imam, whose recent play Bodyguard has earned 35,000 pounds per day, a low figure in comparison with his previous appearances.
The same is true for artist Fifi Abdo’s recent play Eddalai Ya Dossa, whose daily revenues have been only 16,000 pounds – Albawaba.com
