His study looks at traditional forms of indigenous Arabic drama, the rise of European theatre in Egypt, the first abortive attempts to create a modern Arabic theatre in the early 1870's and the project for a National Theatre. Finally, it tells the story of the emigre Syrian troupes which were to play a decisive part in establishing a modern theatrical tradition. The author also sheds new light on the role of the dramatist and nationalist James Sanua and other lesser-known Egyptian pioneers of the theatre.

Philip Sadgrove, Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies at Manchester University, is a former diplomat who served in Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and subsequently taught Arabic at the universities of Herior-Watt, Durham and Edinburgh.

With bibliography and appendex.