Synopses & Reviews
Translations of twelve popular Arabic plays written and produced during the past thirty years introduce English readers to the vibrant theater scene of the Arab world. The plays--from Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia--reflect a variety of dramatic trends and styles and provide insights into contemporary social, cultural, and political currents. This well-prepared anthology represents a unique contribution to the study of world drama and modern Middle Eastern culture.
Playwrights include Yusuf al-`Ani, `Abd al-`Aziz al-Surayii`, the Balalin Company of Jerusalem, `Izz al-Din al-Madani, Mahmud Diyab, Alfred Farag, Walid Ikhlasi, `Isam Mahfuz, Salah `Abd al-Sabur, `Ali Salim, Mamduh `Udwan, and Sa`dallah Wannus.
Synopsis
Translations of twelve popular Arabic plays written and produced during the past thirty years introduce readers of English to the vibrant theater scene of the Arab world.
About the Author
SALMA KHADRA JAYYUSI, Palestinian poet, critic, and scholar, is founder and director of PROTA (Project of Translation from Arabic). She is the editor of Modern Arabic Poetry, The Literature of Modern Arabia, Anthology of Modern Palestinian Literature, and The Legacy of Muslim Spain.
Roger Allen is Professor of Arabic at the University of Pennsylvania. His books include The Arabic Novel: An Historical and Critical Introduction and Modern Arabic Literature.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction by M. M. Badawi
The Balalin Company of Jerusalem Darkness
'Isam Mahfuz The China Tree
Mamduh 'Udwan That's Life
'Izz al-Din al-Madani The Zanj Revolution
'Abd al-'Aziz al-Srayii' The Bird Has Flown
Sa'dallah Wannus The King Is the King
Walid Ikhlasi The Straight Path
Yusuf al-'Ani The Key
Salah 'Abd al-Sabur Night Traveler
Alfred Farag 'Ali Janah al-Tabrizi and His Servant Quffa
'Ali Salem The Comedy of Oedipus: You've Killed the Beast
Mahmud Diyab Strangers Don't Drink Coffee
Notes on Authors, Translators, and Editors
Arabic Titles of Plays and Authors' Names Transliterated