Bye Bye London

Bye Bye London (Arabic: باي باي لندن) is a Kuwaiti play that became popular across the Arab world for its satirical portrayal of cultural differences and societal issues. Written by Abdulhussain Abdulredha and directed by Munsif Al-Suwaisi and Kazem Al-Qallaf, the play debuted for the first time on November 18, 1981. The cast of the play includes Abdulhussain Abdulredha, Ghanem Al-Saleh, Haifa Adel, Maryam Al Ghadhban and Mohammed Jaber. It also marked the rise of new actors Dawood Hussein and Intisar Al-Sharrah. It uses humor to reflect the changes taking place in the region at the time, addressing themes like cultural exchange, the clash between modernity and tradition, and the influence of Western culture on Arab societies, particularly in the context of London, a common destination for Arab travelers at that time. The play is one of the most famous plays in the Arab world, and many critics have chosen it as one of the top 10 Arab plays.

Bye Bye London is noted for its combination of humor with social critique, a characteristic of Abdulhussain’s work. Its continued relevance is evident in modern Gulf culture. The play was both commercially and critically successful, running for multiple seasons. Its humor and relatable themes resonated with audiences, especially those who had traveled to the West and faced similar challenges in adapting to a new culture. The play reflects a time in Gulf history when the region was navigating globalization and modernization. Its critique of both Arab and Western attitudes has ensured its relevance, even as circumstances have changed. The play is taught in theater programs across the Arab world.

On July 31, 2021, the renowned artist Intisar Al-Sharrah passed away in London. She had played a leading role in the iconic play that launched her career, propelling her to stardom in the world of arts. Four years earlier, on August 11, 2017, the play’s main star, Abdulhussain Abdulredha, also passed away in London, succumbing to illness after several days in intensive care. Before them, their co-star Ghanem Al-Saleh had passed away in the same city on October 19, 2010, due to lung cancer. Thus, the three main stars of the play, Bye Bye London, all said their final farewells in the city where they had performed, as if life and death were intertwined with the play’s title.

Background

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, many Gulf Arabs began traveling to European cities, especially London, which had become a favored destination for its shopping, entertainment, and cultural offerings. This trend sparked a cultural dialogue as Arabs encountered Western lifestyles that contrasted sharply with their own traditions. Bye Bye London is a comedic reflection of this phenomenon, where the clash of values, expectations, and behaviors becomes fertile ground for satire.

There is a genre of satirical theatre from the Arab world that is often thought to be long gone. Famous Egyptian plays like Madraset El Moshaghbeen (The School of Criminals), Shahed Ma Shafsh Haga (A Witness Who Saw Nothing), and Al ‘Eyal Kebret (The Kids Have Grown Up) remain popular in Arab culture, with their witty lines still used in conversations today. While these plays are known for their comedy, it was their sharp political critique that made them resonate. They mocked an Arab political system that many still see as ineffective today. Despite the rise of online satire in the Arab world, especially in the Gulf where public protests are restricted, stage satire has declined.

Abdulhussain Abdulredha in 2009

These plays were mostly performed in Egypt during Sadat’s "Open Door" policy, which promoted free-market economics but led to social problems like selfishness, family breakdown, and political weakness. Satirical plays were also produced in Kuwait after the 1973 oil boom. While Gulf leaders hailed the oil boycott as a moment of Arab unity, it marked the end of Arab nationalism in the region. Satirists in Kuwait used humor to highlight the contrast between economic wealth and political decline.

Kuwait was at the forefront of this cultural engagement, and the play can be seen as part of a broader wave of social commentary in Kuwaiti theater. The playwright, Abdulhussain Abdulredha, was known for his sharp wit and ability to address sensitive social issues through humor, making Bye Bye London a hit that resonated across the Gulf region.

Bye Bye London became particularly famous. Its cast, including stars like Abdulhussain Abdulredha and Intisar Al Sharrah, portrayed characters as stereotypes of wealthy, indifferent Gulf citizens. The play mocked characters like the Kuwaiti businessman focused on his health in London, the Saudi arms dealer, and the Moroccan immigrant struggling in Europe, satirizing the extravagance of the Gulf’s elite in London.