Born in Sharqiyah Governorate, Abdel-Rahman al-Shafei was the father of folklore arts. He introduced music, narration and chorus into the directorial process and was the first stage director in Egypt to put on a purely folkloric show to be watched by the general public.

Al-Shafei's beginnings in the stage business were early in life. In his secondary education stage, he formed a folklore troupe which presented its shows in the mawaled (plural of mouled) (occasions observed by the public as holy).

Al-Shafei graduated in Ain Shams University's Law School and later joined the International Theater Division. In 1963 he became in charge of the Musical Troupe. He later formed al-Ghori Troupe and stage-directed such musicals as Yassin wa Baheya (Yassin and Baheya) ah ya leil ya amar (Oh Night, Oh Moon) Adham al-Sharqawi and sonbolet amh alla abr Gammal (A Shoot of Wheat on a Camel Man's Grave).

Al-Shafei was appointed director to al-Samer Theater-House in September 1971 for which he directed a number folklore stories; e.g. Ali al-Zeibaq, Shafiqa and Matwali among other plays.

Al-Shafei was keen on going to the public in their gathering places with his shows. By so-doing he developed a close relationship with his audiences.

Awards

1985: Received the State Incentive Award for stage directing al-Seira al-hellaleya (The Life Story of the Hellalis).

Key Achievements

Yassin wa Baheya (Yassin and Baheya)
ah ya leil ya amar (Oh Night, Oh Moon)
Adham al-Sharqawi
sonbolet amh alla abr Gammal (A Shoot of Wheat on a Camel Man's Grave)
Ali al-Zeibaq
Shafiqa and Matwali
Al-Leila al-Kabira (The Big Night)
al-Seira al-hellaleya (The Life Story of the Hellalis)