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 playsÑfrom Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and TunisiaÑreflect 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.SALMA KHADRA JAYYUSI, Palestinian poet, critic, and scholar, is founder and director of PROTA (Project of Translation from Arabic). She is the editor of Modern Arabic Poetry, The Literature of Modern Arabia, Anthology of Modern Palestinian Literature, and The Legacy of Muslim Spain.