Al-Eidan: Play 'And Next?!' Combines Comedy with Human Ironies

Director Meshal Al-Eidan announced that the Arabian Gulf Theater Troupe, chaired by artist Maytham Badr, will participate for the third consecutive year in the third edition of the Back Stage Group Theater Festival, with the play “And Next?!” The production will be staged today (November 8) at the Al-Salmiya Club Theater. It marks the first text written and directed by Istiqlal Mallah.

On this occasion, Al-Eidan stated that this marks his first participation as a director specifically at the Back Stage Festival. He commented, “I participated in adapting the script locally to make it more accessible to the audience and closer to popular theater. Theater remains theater, whether it is popular or academic. A prime example is the theatrical works we grew up with, which have become icons and references for artists.”

Regarding the play’s content, he clarified, “The events unfold amid human paradoxes surrounding Naji Al-Labd, who lives isolated in his apartment until he encounters an unknown force that drives him to futile attempts to control it. As the building’s residents meddle and reality blends with illusion, the events escalate in a comedic manner, leaving the question: And Next?!”

Alongside Al-Eidan, the play stars Abdulwahab Hussein, Rasha Al-Nassrallah, and Musaed Khalid. Mohammed Al-Nassar handles musical composition, set design, and executive direction, while Abdulqudoos Ismail is responsible for lighting design, and Naima Al-Rashed for makeup. Abdullah Bastaki and Mi Saqr assist in direction, Mohammed Al-Mousawi manages production, Hanan Al-Mahdi oversees artistic direction, Badr Salmeen handles administrative supervision, and Maytham Badr serves as the troupe’s president.

For his part, Al-Eidan noted that “festivals serve as artistic laboratories for theatrical experiments. They help revitalize the stage, offering artists and creators the opportunity to refine their artistic tools and test their theatrical ideas and visions through direct interaction with audiences and critics.”