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Mārūn an-Naqqāsh

Lebanese dramatist

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Mārūn an-Naqqāsh was a Lebanese dramatist who is credited with beginning the modern Arabic tradition of staged, text-based drama. In 1847, he adapted Molière's L'Avare into Arabic and presented it in his home in Beirut. This performance, which involved family and friends as actors, marked a significant step in the development of Arabic theatre.12

An-Naqqāsh's work, along with that of his family, often incorporated music and had men play female roles, following traditional practices. His adaptations of Molière's plays, including Tartuffe, and his adaptation of a story from The Thousand and One Nights, were influential. The theatrical scene later shifted to Egypt, which offered a more conducive environment for artistic expression, and from there, Arabic theatre spread to other regions.12

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