Preface Acknowledgments Introduction by M. M. Badawi The Balalin Company of Jerusalem Darkness OIsam Mahfuz The China Tree Mamduh OUdwan ThatOs Life OIzz al-Din al-Madani The Zanj Revolution OAbd al-OAziz al-SrayiiO The Bird Has Flown SaOdallah Wannus The King Is the King Walid Ikhlasi The Straight Path Yusuf al-OAni The Key Salah OAbd al-Sabur Night Traveler Alfred Farag OAli Janah al-Tabrizi and His Servant Quffa OAli Salem The Comedy of Oedipus: YouOve Killed the Beast Mahmud Diyab Strangers DonOt Drink Coffee Notes on Authors, Translators, and Editors Arabic Titles of Plays and AuthorsO Names Transliterated

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.