“Obaid” and “Shalouh” and rehearsals... “The Promise of the Track”

Before the curtain rises on January 23 at the Salim Al-Salim Theater stage, the cast of the play “Ya Habibi La Taquli Wa La Aqooluk.. Al-Wa’d bil-Sikka” (My Dear, Don’t Say It and I Won’t Say It.. The Promise of the Track) is immersed in the final details of rehearsals. The production already appears distinct in its nuances, not only for its comedic tone and situations, but also for the highly anticipated reunion between artists Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam and Dr. Tariq Al-Ali, 38 years after their last stage encounter in “Hello Bangkok” during the 1980s.

This reunion carries echoes of Kuwaiti theater history. Al-Musallam and Al-Ali are not returning to the stage merely as performers, but are bringing with them two iconic characters who left a clear mark on audiences: “Obaid, son of Umm Obaid,” famously portrayed by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, and “Shalouih,” inextricably linked to Dr. Tariq Al-Ali. These two characters meet again in a contemporary work that carries a different spirit, allowing space for memories without being confined by them.

Written and directed by Mohammed Al-Humaidi, the play stars Al-Musallam and Al-Ali alongside actors Abdullah Al-Khader and Abdulmohsen Al-Omar. This ensemble brings together names from different generations and artistic experiences, granting the production ample room to explore varied schools of performance, acting styles, and comedic pacing.

Rehearsal photos make it clear that the gamble extends beyond simply reuniting two major names after many years. It also involves crafting a theatrical experience capable of resonating with today’s audience. Reviving “Obaid” and “Shalouih” is not merely a return of old characters, but an attempt to place them in a new context that enables interaction with audiences who may not have experienced their origins firsthand, while simultaneously offering those who have known them since their debut the chance to reconnect with part of their own memories.

“Ya Habibi La Taquli Wa La Aqooluk.. Al-Wa’d bil-Sikka” is more than just another new addition to the performance season. The presence of Al-Musallam and Al-Ali together after 38 years lends it a unique significance, especially with the return of two characters beloved by the public. At a time when Kuwaiti theater remains capable of creating those magical moments—when people sit in their seats, the lights dim, the curtain rises, and the story begins anew—this production revives the tale of “Obaid” and “Shalouih” in 2026.