"The Engineer of Public Taste" – The Laughter and the Message

Amid an atmosphere brimming with attendance and engagement, the cinema theater at Al-Muhallab Complex hosted the social-comedy play “The Engineer of Public Taste” as part of the 18th edition of the “Cultural Summer” festival. The evening once again confirmed that when theater is close to the people, it knows precisely how to create joy and leave a lasting impression on memory.

From the very first moments of the performance, it was clear that the audience had come to experience something different, rather than merely watch a theatrical show. Laughter and interaction with the situations and dialogue were constant throughout, reviving in the venue the spirit of popular theater that people eagerly anticipate, especially during the summer season.

“The Engineer of Public Taste,” written and directed by Abdulaziz Safar, unfolds within a social-comedy framework, focusing on a couple awaiting the birth of their first child. The narrative explores the situations, details, and coincidences that accompany this stage of life, opening the door to numerous comedic scenarios.

What makes the performance particularly appealing is that its humor is rooted in social and human details that resonate closely with the audience. Viewers do not feel that the events are distant from their own lives; instead, they recognize aspects of their daily lives, relationships, and family dynamics. This connection grants the work greater scope for engaging with its audience.

Theater, ultimately, is a direct relationship between the artist and the audience. This dynamic was one of the most prominent features of “The Engineer of Public Taste.” Every laugh from the audience reached the stage, and every interaction with a situation or character gave the performance additional vitality. Despite the challenges of adapting the cinema theater at Al-Muhallab Complex for live theatrical productions, the show managed to maintain its popular rhythm. Viewers did not feel a distance between themselves and what was happening on stage. This is precisely the value of theater that knows its audience well: a theater that laughs with its people, interacts with them, and leaves them with a pleasant feeling at the end of the performance that they have shared a unique evening with the cast, including Khaled Al-Mutairi, Iman Faisal, Khaled Al-Ajroub, and Salman Kaid. This ensemble, along with others, helped bring smiles to the faces of the attendees, thanks to their artistic capabilities.

Although laughter is the most prominent feature of the work, “The Engineer of Public Taste” does not offer comedy for comedy’s sake. Rather, through its story, it invites reflection on family, upbringing, behavior, and human relationships.

The presence of “The Engineer of Public Taste” within the 18th edition of the “Cultural Summer” festival highlights the importance of theater in the cultural landscape, particularly when the works presented are capable of reaching diverse segments of the audience. Thanks are due to the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters for supporting successful productions that have proven their presence, and for encouraging theater that reaches the public and respects their taste, especially works that can bring families together around an enjoyable and meaningful artistic experience.