western influences on the theatre of the syrian playwright sac.d allah wannus

309 Pages·2014·9.59 MB·English

WESTERN INFLUENCES ON THE
THEATRE OF THE SYRIAN
PLAYWRIGHT SAC.D ALLAH WANNUS
A thesis submitted to the University of Manchester for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts
(1993)
by
Abdulaziz H. AI-Abdulla
Department of Middle Eastern Studies
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abstract ................................................. 3
Declaration •...•...•....................•.....•.......... 4
Dedica t ion .....•...•.•......•.................•.......... 5
statement of Candidate's Education and Experience ........ 6
Acknowledgments ..............................•........... 7
Scheme of Transliteration .............................•.. 8
Introduction ...•...•..........•.......................... 9
Chapter 1. The History of Modern Theatre
in Syria ..................................... 25
Chapter 2. Sacd Allah Wannus, the Man and the
Playwright ................................... 67
Chapter 3. Existentialism, the Theatre of the Absurd
and Wannus ................................... 96
Chapter 4. Scientific Socialism, Brecht, Weiss and
Wannus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 165
Chapter 5. Masra~ al-Tasyis (Theatre of Politicization). 247
Concl us ion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28.8
Bibliography:
a) Primary Sources.
293
b) Secondary Sources. 297
c) General Reading. 308
2
ABSTRACT
This thesis introduces the work of the Syrian playwright, Sacd Allah
Wannus, one of the few modern Arab dramatists, who have persistently
pursued the development of a vigorous and innovative indigenous tradition
of drama in the Arab world. In the face of considerable odds, both in Syria
and in other Arab countries, he has managed consistently to write serious and
challanging works for the theatre. The study will briefly give a historical
background to the emergence of modem theatre in Syria making comparisons
with developments in Egypt and the Lebanon. It will look into Wannus's own
life, his family background, education and career. It will examine the
influence of the philosophy of Existentialism, the theatre of the Absurd,
Marxism and the epic theatre on Wannus, through a critical and thorough
analysis of his plays. It will also discuss Wannus's own theories and ideas
regarding the role and the function of the theatre in the Arab world.
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Declaration
No Portion of the work referred to in this thesis has been submitted in support
of an application for another degree of this or any other university or other
institute of learning.
4
DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to my parents and family_
5
STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE'S EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
1-1972-74 studied at the Education Institute for Teachers and graduated with
a teaching diploma (Literary Studies).
2- 1974-80 worked as a teacher of Arabic language, Islamic education and
history.
3-1981-1985 pursued his studies at Kuwait University (English language and
literature) leading to the degree of B.A.
4- 1985-87 worked for Kuwait Airways Corporation as a Translator.
S- 1987-89 joined Lancaster University (Department of English Literature) for
an M.A course and graduated in 1989.
6- Since 1990 joined Manchester University (Middle Eastern Studies
Department) on a programme leading to the Degree of Ph.D.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my deepest and most sincere thanks to my supervisors,
Prof. Edmund Bosworth and Dr. Philip Sadgrove, for their expert guidance,
constant help and advice, especially to Dr. Sadgrove for his kindness and
patience throughout my study. I would like also to thank those who have
encouraged me and helped me in achieving my aims.
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SCHEME OF TRANSLITERATION
Consonants
J Z q
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b c.r s !l k
":-'"
...
~ t '-'" sh J
~ th ~~ i m
J ~d 0 n
~
b
b J • h
C
.
j;
C kh ~ J w
.) d t. c.f y
.
t. gh
.) dh
U f
r
J
Short vowels Long vowels
L a
a
,
u cl
lr
u
.J-
'::'
I
l:P
Diphthongs
au
ai
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INTRODUCfION
The nineteenth century marked the birth of modern Arab theatre and
the beginning of a period of interplay between Arab drama and Western
drama; the Syrian playwright, Sacd Allah WanllUs is a contemporary example
of this continuing process of interaction between the two cultures. Wannus
was in particular influenced by Western philosophy and drama, especially by
- .
~ ~
the existentialist philosophy of Sartre and the theatre of the absurd of Eugene
Ionesco in the first phase of his playwrighting, and by scientific
socialism/Marxism and the political and Epic theatre of Bertolt Brecht in the
second phase. Wanniis is justifiably regarded as one of the leading
playwrights in the Arab world; his works have often created controversy and
generated many debates and arguments in ArJ.b theatrical circles.
Many articles, published in Arab and foreign journals, have been
written about Wannus's theatre, but only a few monographs. Amongst which
is KhaHd RamaQan's Masrab Sacd Allah Wannus (The Theatre of Sacd Allah
Wannfis (1984)), who has given a sound account of Wannfis's theatre as well
as analyzing some of his plays. Ismacn F. IsnW.cil has also written a book
entitled al-Kalima ... al-Ficl Ii Masralt Saed Allah Wannus (Word ... Action in the
Theatre of Sacd Allah WannOs (1981)), in which he discussed the ideology
motivating WannGs's works and the relatior ship between word and action in
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his plays, in other words, to assess and analyze the effect of the "word" in
motivating the audience to "act" to change their conditions.
In order to give his own perspective on his theatre and its place in the
Arab world, as well as to define what he regards as the characteristics of Arab
theatre, Wannus has written two books: one entitled Bayanat li-MasraJ:a ~rabi
Jadid (Manifestos for a New Arab Theatre (1988)), and the other Hawiimish
Thaqafiyya (Cultural Margins (1992)). These books include most of the articles,
interviews and the critical studies of some Arab and Western playwrights and
philosophers, that Wannus wrote or gave whilst pursuing his studies or
working in various posts. The books reflect the socialist thoughts that lies
behind his latest works and writings. In these books, WannOs calls upon Arab
playwrights to experiment in order to create the right form of theatre based
on the Arab heritage. He also explains his vision of the function of the stage
and emphasizes the importance of the role of the audience in any theatrical
work, especially in the Arab theatre.
Unlike the better documented modern Arab theatres in Egypt and
Lebanon which have a relatively longer tradition and finner foundations, the
history of the Syrian theatre lacks accurate and detailed infonnation or
documentation of the dates of perfonnances,titles of works and biographies of
authors, especially in the period before the 195Os.1 This is the major problem
that confronts any researcher in this field. Most Arab writers who have
Theatre in the modern state of Syria, with its two major
1
cities of Damascus and Aleppo, and not 19th century Syria,
where the centre of theatrical activity was Beirut.
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