Abdulaziz Al-Muslem and 'Dasma Theater': A Renewed Journey of Loyalty

The awarding of the tender for the development and operation of the Dasma Theater to Al Salam Al Oula General Trading and Contracting Company (and its branch, Al Salam Media Group) for a five-year period transcends the traditional concept of real estate investment for public facilities. It marks the launch of a new phase that restores this venerable artistic landmark to the public and producers in a manner befitting its history and status in Kuwaiti memory. This step embodies the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters’ (NCCAL) orientation toward establishing a high-quality partnership with the private sector, moving beyond conventional contracting to engage specialists who combine executive competence with field experience in the requirements of art and theater.

The tender award was based on a comprehensive evaluation that considered quality specifications, expertise, and services provided, alongside financial criteria. In this endeavor, the leadership role of NCCAL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Khaled Al-Jasra and Assistant Secretary-General Muassad Al-Zamil is prominent, as they pushed for leveraging private sector expertise to serve cultural affairs. Behind the Al Salam Media Group stands the esteemed artist, Professor Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mutawa, a figure who combines artistic vision with practical experience in theater management and rehabilitation.

Al-Mutawa’s relationship with the Dasma Theater dates back to the early days of restoring the site after the Iraqi invasion. At that time, with the approval of the late Minister of Information Dr. Badr Al-Yaqoob, he initiated the theater’s restoration at his own expense, supported by the efforts of Kuwaiti volunteers who endured the occupation period. The work included repairing electrical and plumbing networks, repainting, and general restoration. This initiative was more than mere maintenance of a damaged building; it breathed new life into the theater, allowing it to host the play “Kuwait is Free” (Free Kuwait) in 1991, the first Kuwaiti theatrical production after liberation, which carried a message of gratitude to the world and a call for reconstruction. It was followed by “Desert Storm,” which depicted the citizens’ suffering during the occupation, and then the notable national work “Sif Al-Arab” (Sword of the Arabs) in 1992. Thus, the theater became the primary platform through which Kuwaitis expressed resilience, pain, and the restoration of life.

Over the decades, Dasma has remained a witness to the history of the theatrical movement, hosting timeless works such as “Bye Bye London,” “Knights of the Climate,” “Hello Bangkok,” and “Hami Al-Diyar” (Guardian of the Homeland). This makes its current development a preservation of national artistic and cultural heritage. The ongoing development works include updating the building’s interior and exterior, starting from artists’ rooms, the audience hall, and the stage, extending to cladding, flooring, and technical installations.

In addition to contractual obligations—such as replacing internal and external ceilings, installing modern fire suppression systems, and fulfilling financial commitments to the Council—the company undertook additional works at its own expense. These included repainting the building, installing fire-resistant carpets and fabrics, maintaining service facilities, and cleaning and sterilizing water tanks. The development also extended to acoustic standards and the performance environment through the selection of sound-absorbing materials and improved listening quality, as well as updating technical equipment, to ensure the theater meets the highest safety and quality standards applicable in modern cultural facilities. Under Al-Mutawa’s leadership, fruitful cooperation between the National Council and the executing company helped overcome numerous obstacles and complete the works in record time.

The new vision does not stop at theatrical performances; Dasma Theater is being prepared to become a multi-purpose cultural and artistic center. It will host productions by theater troupes and companies, literary events, occasions for ministries and government entities and public benefit associations, official and diplomatic events, as well as conferences, exhibitions, and training workshops, returning it as a year-round hub for creators and organizers.

What Dasma Theater is experiencing today connects two pivotal moments in its history: a voluntary initiative that restored it to life immediately after liberation, and an institutional partnership that prepares it for the future. Its enduring commitment remains that its stage stays open to art and its memory remains present in the consciousness of Kuwait.