Fatima Al-Tabakh: From Fear to 'Neighborhood Sciences'

Mufreh Al-Shamribri

The idea began as a women’s initiative, but over time it grew closer to the heartbeat of the neighborhood, carrying the people’s concerns, issues, and daily stances—this time, through the airwaves. This is what author Fatima Al-Tabakh offers in her radio drama “Al-Fereej Sciences,” which began broadcasting yesterday on Kuwait Radio’s Second Program. The series comprises 30 episodes, directed by Waleed Al-Awais, and features a distinguished cast including Hussein Al-Mufidi, Hind Al-Balushi, Mona Shaddad, Hanan Al-Mahdi, Bashair Al-Mutawa, Dhafeer Al-Sani, Ali Al-Ali, Omar Al-Bakr, Ishaq Ashkanani, Mansour Al-Mansour, and Mohammed Al-Saffar.

Fatima Al-Tabakh spoke to Al-Anbaa with evident warmth about the project. Initially, the concept was intended as a women’s drama, but as time passed, the scope broadened to encompass the entire neighborhood, including the details, issues, and problems we live and hear about. The treatment is delivered through radio drama, leaving listeners with ample space to visualize scenes in their own way.

Al-Tabakh admits that she has been writing for years but kept her work private, hesitant to share her texts with the public. She previously had an experience with Marina FM in 2008, participating in “Poplush” sketches alongside actor Bashar Al-Jassaf and director Waleed Sarab. Today, however, she has found the courage to embark on a different and broader experience.

She believes that writing for radio is not easy; in fact, it may be more challenging than writing for television, theater, or cinema, because the writer lacks visual imagery for the audience. Instead, the writer must open the full scope of imagination to the listener, enabling them to experience the characters and events as if they were seeing them. This, she says, is the true challenge for any writer.

Al-Tabakh feels particular joy regarding “Al-Fereej Sciences,” not only because it is a new experience but also because it is her first radio drama on Kuwait Radio. She expresses her gratitude to everyone who stood by her, helped her overcome fear and hesitation, and gave her the confidence to share what she had written over the years with the public.