A New Book Inspired by Global Theatre with a Contemporary Vision
A new book titled Waiting for Shakespeare: A Collection of Plays has been published by Mr. Sabah Salem Jabbar, a faculty member at the College of Languages, University of Baghdad.
The book, comprising 152 pages, features three plays written in English, one of which—Fleeting Shadows—has been translated into Arabic.
The included plays are Fleeting Shadows, O Iraqis, Return to Your Homeland, and Waiting for Shakespeare.
The book aims to foster greater engagement with the English language and its literature among students in English departments across Iraqi universities. Through these plays, the author sheds light on pressing contemporary local and global issues, addressing crucial themes such as combating illegal immigration, confronting drug addiction, opposing warfare, and advocating for an end to the spilling of innocent blood.
Additionally, the book draws inspiration from Mesopotamian heritage, incorporating elements from the Epic of Gilgamesh.
The author intertwines Shakespearean theatrical influences with modern realities, employing diverse dramatic techniques such as Absurdist Theatre, Surrealism, Fantasy, and Magical Realism to align with the thematic essence of the plays.
Waiting for Shakespeare represents a significant contribution to Iraq’s theatrical literature, blending global literary heritage with local realities in an innovative manner.
The work serves to enrich theatrical culture and reinforce the importance of English literature among students and those with a keen interest in the literary and theatrical arts.
