Investigating Early Dramaturgy and Theatre Directing in the Shabih’khani of the Qajar Era

Abstract

Scholarly research on shabih’khani, the Iranian traditional performance generally known as ta’ziyeh, has frequently portrayed creators of this theatrical form as religious devotees with little or no theatrical knowledge and expertise. Yet, newly discovered manuscripts from the Qajar era (1789 to 1925 CE/1168 to 1304 SH) contain annotations and stage directions that can be interpreted as directorial notes and dramaturgical enhancements.