Also extremely popular are Alexandria’s cinemas, English-language films usually play at the Amir (tel. 491 7972) and Metro (tel. 483 0432) theaters, both on Safia Zaghloul St. (Usually 4 shows per day, tickets LE2.5&4.50.) Check billboards for details. In September an international film festival presents foreign films in all of the city’s theaters; ask at the tourist information office.

Every summer the breezy, outdoor Muhammad Abd al-Wahab Theater, on the corniche at Raml Station Sq., features traditional dancing. Fir’et Rida (Rida’s troupe) and Al-Fir a al-Qawmiya (the National Troupe) perform dances representative of various areas in Egypt (watch for the men’s dance with canes, from Upper Egypt). (Nightly shows at 10:30pm. Reserve tickets one or two days in advance. Super deluxe front-row tickets LE10.50, cheap seats LE5- Avoid the uncomfortable box seats. Bring a sweater.) You may think you left the circus behind when you left Cairo, but the Ringling Brothers’ Egyptian cousins come to St. Mark’s College. Two shows daily, one matinee and one soiree. Tickets LE2-7.