Mohammed Al-Muslem to 'Al-Anba': From Water Theater to Snow... A New Adventure for Eid al-Fitr

Yasser Al-Aila: It seems that director and artist Mohammed Al-Muslem has chosen to make “difference” a constant theme in his theatrical projects. Following the striking experience he presented in his latest play, “Water Land,” which moved the performance into an aquatic setting inside an Olympic swimming pool, he is preparing to embark on a new adventure for Eid al-Fitr. This time, however, the setting will be snowy, combining theater with ice skating, in an experience he describes as the first of its kind in the Arab world.

Al-Muslem revealed details of his new theatrical project to “Al-Anbaa,” noting that the work has not yet settled on a final title. He said, “The project is purely youth-oriented, whether in terms of the concept, presentation style, or the overall narrative and setting. I can say that 99% of the participants are young people.” The work will also differ musically, as he disclosed that the story and dialogue are still in the stage of selecting the appropriate writer, particularly because the nature of the project requires a writer with qualifications suited to this type of theater. He emphasized that the performance will be a 100% musical show.

Regarding the format of the stage for this new experiment, especially after surprising the audience with an aquatic stage inside an Olympic pool in “Water Land,” Al-Muslem said, “The new work will take place in a snowy environment that combines a theater stage with an ice-skating rink, allowing most actors to move between the stage and ice skating.”

He clarified that executing this idea requires specialized technical expertise, so he will enlist technicians from outside Kuwait. He pointed out ongoing coordination with the Hockey Federation and an ice ballet team, aiming to leverage their expertise to present the show in a manner that aligns with the project’s ambitions.

When asked whether there is a venue in Kuwait capable of accommodating this concept, he said, “We have the skiing hall in the Bayan area, as well as the new skiing hall in the Martyr’s Park.”

Regarding the specifications required for the artists participating in the show, Al-Muslem explained that the work demands good physical fitness and light movement on stage, but it does not require all participants to be professional ice skaters.

He revealed that he has finalized a list of participants, including Farah Al-Sarraf, Layali Dahrab, Dhafer Al-Rashdan, Jamal Al-Saleh, Ahmed bin Hussein, Gharoor Saffar, and Areej Al-Attar, along with other artists, noting that the list is still subject to additions.

As for his own potential participation in acting, he said that if he decides to appear on stage, it would only as a guest of honor, explaining that the scale of the production and the demands of directing require his full concentration.

When asked about his satisfaction with the success of his latest play, “Water Land,” and whether the experience met his ambitions, Al-Muslem said, “I am certainly satisfied with the success achieved, but my ambitions grow with each project.” He added, “In every experiment, I discover many things I was unable to present in the way I wanted. Therefore, the water theater will serve as a school for me and Orion Company, while the new work will be larger in terms of technology and more fantastical in form and execution.”

On the subject of Ramadan dramas, Al-Muslem affirmed that he is waiting for a project that feels like a genuine and distinct return for him. He said, “I am waiting for a beautiful role and something strong through which I can make a comeback, but so far, all the offers I have received have been ordinary.” He added, “God willing, in the coming period, just as we excelled in producing theatrical works, the day will come when we produce distinctive and different dramatic works.”