Contemporary Plays from Iraq is a ground-breaking collection of Middle Eastern drama translated into English for the very first time. With works from both established and emerging male and female playwrights, written in country and in exile, this volume offers current Iraqi perspectives on a war and occupation that have significantly impacted the Middle East and the rest of the world. Dealing exclusively with contemporary plays originating from Iraq, this anthology gives under-studied Arabic political theatre the attention it deserves and provides a general introduction that sets the plays within their cultural and historical contexts. The plays are preceded by introductions from the playwrights themselves, further enriching each piece for the enjoyment and understanding of the reader.

The volume is introduced and translated by James Al-Shamma, Assistant Professor at Belmont University, US, and A. Al-Azraki, an Iraqi playwright.

Dr. Al-Shamma is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Belmont University. His principal areas of research are contemporary women playwrights and Arabic, and specifically Iraqi, theatre. He has published two books on acclaimed American playwright Sarah Ruhl, which are Sarah Ruhl: A Critical Study of the Plays and Ruhl in an Hour, and has published articles in the Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism and The Eugene O'Neill Review. He has also taught and directed at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

A. Al-Azraki is an Iraqi playwright.

Foreword

General introduction

Biographies

The Takeover by Hoshang Waziri
Introduction
Text

A Cradle by Abdul-Kareem Al-Ameri
Introduction
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Ishtar in Baghdad by Rasha Fadhil
Introduction
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Summer Rain by Abdel-Nabi Al-Zaidi
Introduction
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Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad by Monadhil Daoud Albayati
Introduction
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Me, Torture, and Your Love by Awatif Naeem
Introduction
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A Strange Bird on Our Roof by Abdul Razaq al Rubai
Introduction
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Cartoon Dreams by Kareem Sheghaidil
Introduction
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The Widow by A. Al-Azraki
Introduction
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