Childhood in Q8 Means: Masra7 Keifan

Yesterday I was in Keifan passing by to grab some lunch on my way to my apartment when I looked up and saw Masra7 Keifan, or now as its know as Masra7 elta7rer. Through the sheets of pouring rain I felt a warm wave of my childhood gliding past me and encapsulating me in beautiful days gone by.

I remember what this place meant for us when we were kids back in the 80′s. Whenever there was a new Huda 7sain play we used to come here to see it. So happy for the prospect of watching a "masra7iya". I can tell you tales from each and every masra7iya I've been to. I remember how we would scramble to buy "Sharee6 el Masra7iya" after the show which is the cassette tape containing the show's music. That tape would play in my parents cars in every ride until we could get the masra7iya on tape. That's how I memorized most of the songs.

I remember how we would all go backstage after the show to meet the cast and take pictures with them. Oooh the excitement of getting to meet the cast. They were always sweet and kissed and hugged us even though there must have been over 200 kids in the theatre every night!

Afterwards we would go to Hungry Bunny Keifan where we would play with the plastic balls and have dinner we never finish. I once lost a ring of mine in the balls. I don't recall if I ever found it?

I think the last time I've been there was in 1990 before the invasion with my grandmother, aunt, and aunt's husband watching lawlaki. or was it elkora emdawera? The one with 3beer el jendi as their maid before her 7ejab? I cannot recall wallah. I remember it was cold and me buying a snickers bar from the concession to eat and never getting to eat it.

Now the theater stands there. Empty, sad, and void of the happy children's laughter. Do they use it anymore? I don't know. Even if they do use it, for what? Are there any plays anymore? Good plays that I can watch without gagging that is? What happened exactly? How can I be in 2012 feeling sad about the current state of our culture in comparison to the eighties!

Tomorrow is the elections. I am going to elect four although I truly doubt any of them would feel the need to restore Kuwait back to its glorious days of culture, art, and theater. But then again who knows? Maybe if we manage to choose right we would get the best there is to the Parliament and somehow they will make a difference? Or pass some long awaited law and do something for a change? We will see.

Allah yr7am ayamik ya masra7 Keifan. Good days they were, good days :')