Adaptation of Shakespeare in Contemporary Iranian Theatre: A Dissident Reading of Society and Politics

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This proposed research explores the adaptation and reconceptualisation of Shakespeare in contemporary Iranian theatre between 2000 and 2020. Overall, Iranian Shakespearean reworkings pursue three main approaches: (1) the plays that challenge important political issues such as the establishment of dictatorship in modern history of Iran, the Hamlet and Macbeth adaptations in particular; (2) the plays that engage in reflecting on Iran's sociocultural problems such as gender inequality and theatre censorship; and (3) the reworkings that spark philosophical-aesthetic discussions aiming at practicing an experimental stage against perception and meaning in the mainstream theatre. By using cultural materialist dissident reading and adaptation studies, as well as sociopolitical criticism, this proposed research analyzes adaptation politics, the scope of dissidence, and the way Iranian adapters have utilised Shakespeare in productive and engaging ways to reflect on sociocultural, political and philosophical issues in present-day Iran. Contemporary Iranian historical events such as civil uprisings since 2000s are deciding factors in the emergence of social, political and alternative interpretations and adaptations of Shakespeare in playwriting practice and theatre production in Iran.