"Shalwih and Obaid": A Welcome Return

The return of Dr. Tariq Al-Ali and Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Muslem to the stage was more than a fleeting artistic reunion; it was an encounter imbued with the memories of an entire generation. Director and artist Mohammed Al-Humli successfully brought them together again after 38 years, marking their first joint appearance since the play “Hello Bangkok,” which was staged in 1988.

This comeback takes place through the play “Ya Habibi La Taqul Wa La Aqooluk.. Al-Wa’d bi al-Sikka” (My Dear, Don’t Say and I Won’t Tell You… The Promise of the Track), which revives the characters of Shlawih and Obaid. It features a long-awaited meeting between two names closely associated with a pivotal era in Kuwaiti theater, before each pursued his own artistic path.

Mohammed Al-Humli’s initiative goes beyond the simple idea of casting two stars in one production. It opens a window onto the memory of theater, offering the audience the chance to see a duo whose characters and situations remain etched in public memory, particularly among the generation that lived through that period and witnessed their early careers.

Thirty-eight years is not a trivial figure in the lifespan of theater. Over these years, generations have changed, performance formats have evolved, and the theater industry has developed. Yet, some characters retain the power to return simply by having their names mentioned, a phenomenon that applies to Shlawih and Obaid, whose presence has not been erased from the public’s memory by time.

Notably, Al-Humli did not merely resurrect the past; he placed these characters in a new work, giving the comeback a distinct dimension that blends the memory of yesterday with the rhythm of today, allowing a new audience to discover a duo that left its mark on Kuwaiti theater.

This is where the value of the concept lies. Some artistic reunions do not require lengthy introductions or elaborate justifications. It is enough to tell the audience: After 38 years… Shlawih and Obaid are back on the same stage.

The real challenge remains ensuring that this comeback, scheduled for performance at the Salmiya Club Theater on September 23, is delivered through a well-crafted script that will remain in the public’s memory and not pass unnoticed. The new handshake between Tariq Al-Ali and Abdulaziz Al-Muslem after this long absence should become a theatrical moment added to the history of Kuwaiti theater, rather than remaining merely a nostalgic revisit to bygone days.