Abeid and Shalweih to the stage... after more than 30 years
More than 30 years after the character “Abeid” first appeared, known to the public in 1996 when it was portrayed by artist Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam in the play “The Haunted House,” produced by Al-Salam Media Group, the character has returned to the stage alongside “Shalwai,” a character previously presented by artist Dr. Tariq Al-Ali in the 1997 play “Sah Lisanak,” produced by Froggy Company.
Director Muhammad Rashid Al-Hamli successfully brought “Abeid” and “Shalwai” together in a single production titled “Ya Habibi, Don’t Say It to Me, and I Won’t Say It to You... The Promise on the Track,” reviving those beautiful memories for the audience and recalling some of the most prominent and successful Kuwaiti theatrical works through these two characters.
The play, written and directed by Al-Hamli, was given a special performance at the Salamiya Sports Club theater. In addition to Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam and Dr. Tariq Al-Ali, the cast included other stars such as Abdullah Al-Khadir and Abdulmohsen Al-Ammar, along with a group of actors and performers. The production was brought to life by Backstage Group.
At the entrance to the theater, the setting appeared different from all previous shows. Starting with the decorations adorned with antique pieces taken from the living room set of “The Haunted House” and the living room set of “Sah Lisanak,” the space seemed as if the hands of time had taken the audience back three decades.
The events unfold in the homes of “Abeid” and “Shalwai,” as the two parties get into a series of problems and disputes “on the track” in a comedic framework. These conflicts also provoke the character of “Al-Dallal,” portrayed by Abdullah Al-Khadir, and the character of “Abeid’s Uncle,” played by Abdulmohsen Al-Ammar, while artist Muhammad Al-Hamli takes on the role of “Shalwai’s son.”
The play returns the audience to the atmosphere of the past, evoking old dialogues that remain firmly etched in memory, in an attempt to refresh recollections of characters associated with previous Kuwaiti works that left a lasting impact on comedy.
The official opening is scheduled for this weekend, allowing the audience to discover the details of the events that blend comedic horror with social drama, in a format filled with numerous situations, paradoxes, and performances that add a diverse atmosphere to the production.
