Well, it generally sucks. The only reason I say that is because I’ve seen plays in London and the US. After going to so many plays, the ones in Kuwait are considered to be, mind my language, GARBAGE. It’s not because there aren’t any good actors or enough money. It’s because no one is talented enough to write a decent play or musical. Kuwait used to be known for it’s amazing plays! What happened?
Two examples of children plays in Eid 2011: 
This play is about the movie Oliver Twist, or at least they say they were inspired by it. I’ve seen the Oliver Twist musical and I’m positive that this one would awful compared to it. And why aren’t they using original ideas? 
This one is about Shrek or at least I think it’s about Shrek. Why are there Smurfs in the boxes?? I’ve also seen the Shrek Musical and I’m positive that this won’t be as good. Again, why aren’t they making plays with original ideas?
It’s Kuwait…habba, after habba, after habba. Nothing original comes out. When it does, people just copy it and it eventually gets old. #typical
Exactly!! They have no sense of originality!
I think it’s has more of a commercial aspect to it. Theaters are almost ruins and not a single one of them is suitable to stage a proper play with some nice good props and decorations. If the setting can’t get any better then there isn’t any motive to really come up with something decent and worthy.
Beside, people are getting used to fast consumption, and I wonder who still goes for those plays!!! Last one I’ve been to was “morahe8 bel 50″ and ever since I couldn’t find the urge to attend another one.
This leaves producers with one option, the profitable one, low budget production play, guaranteed success story that captures current hype and trend. And viola, they are set to milk out people’s pockets.
You’re also right when it comes to the fact that we don’t really have any good/big theaters in Kuwait! I think it would really make a difference. Plus, when those necessities are available then the producers would be willing to conduct better plays! And I love the days of morahe8 bil 50!! I’ve seen that play on tape so many times and the jokes never seem to get old. It’s a classic!
You can’t compare Broadway productions to local one.
I agree they lack creativity here. The Zain play seems like a major improvement on local plays. It is INSPIRED by Oliver Twist, not imitated. And even if it is, how many versions of Oliver Twists are there in the world? Or Shakespeare? Or Les Miserable? A play shouldn’t necessarily present an original story, but a good production.
Zain’s efforts should not be belittled. Given the local production qualities, given the little support this sector gets (this is crucial) -have done something wonderful.
Again, you can’t compare our industry in art (which is still very young with no support whatsoever and with A LOT of tradition/religion LIMITATIONS*) with a mature, booming, and free industry like those in Europe and the States. We can only compare on how we improve. Zain’s play is a big improvement compared with a decade of Kuwaiti products. Same could be said for Sahir Al-lail (Part 1). The show is not creative, it is not original, and even the production is modest compared to international standards. However, it is something refreshing and new given the last decades shows, and that’s what makes it successful and enjoyable. Same thing with the movie Tora Bora.
I’m not sure if you attended any of the Loyac shows or those produced by Dar AlAthaar Al Islamiya. All orginal, all magnificent by any standard!
I’m sorry if this is long. This is not meant as a bash against you – just making a few points. Also pointing out that it is impossible for a society to create anything remarkable and soar (whether in art, retail, music, language, education… anything really) with many limitations like we have (even religious ones).
* A very important point in art. It is next to impossible to create a piece of art when you are limited by so many don’ts, can’t and won’ts.
I agree with a lot of the things that you have mentioned, but I don’t agree with the fact that the Kuwaiti industry is still young. I have seen many Kuwaiti plays and the ones in the past were much much better. At that time Kuwait had many limitations too, but yet they somehow come up with better productions than the ones we see now! (one reason I think is because a lot of the successful productions in the past have been written by non-Kuwaitis, I’m just saying)<– not trying to be racist.
And I'm only talking about theater and not movies or TV shows (which have been improving). I have not seen any improvement in theater though. The Zain production does seem good, but then again it's a play that's targeting a kids audience and not adults.
Yes, Kuwaiti theater in the 70s were very good! But in the 70′s there were less limitations in my opinion. I’m not sure about this, but from my understanding, Kuwait not as religiously restraint as it became in the 80′s, with it still lingering now in a very weird modernized world with archaic religious views that are very contradictory.
If you want good adult theater check out dar alathar alislamiya and Loyac. Omar AlKhayam was sensational! English plays are also quiet good. BSK and another theater in Ahamdi had very good ones in the past.
Thank you for leaving the comment even though it disagreed with your views, and thank you for the reply! It makes me happy when bloggers don’t censor views opposing to their own. =)
Also very interesting to know that old productions were not written by Kuwaitis! Will definitely look into that.
I will check out the Loyac plays and other upcoming productions! and I’m pretty sure that a lot of productions weren’t written by Kuwaitis! ;p
In my opinion, my blog is a place to discuss freely and I don’t mind opposing ideas because that means people read and understood my point. And thats one thing I really care about! In the end we would all learn something new from each other!