Shakespeare in Pakistan: Appropriating the Bard in Theatres, Cinema and Academia (Routledge Studies in Shakespeare)

Shakespeare in Pakistan offers a comprehensive examination of the appropriation of Shakespearean plays in Pakistan, with a focus on how these works engage with creative, indigenous, cultural, culinary, and religious expressions of identity. The book traces the historical progression of Shakespearean adaptation in both pre- and post-independence Pakistan. This analysis encompasses theatrical and cinematic performances by prominent groups such as Theatre Wallay and the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), both established in 2005. It meticulously explores the recontextualization of Shakespeare's works in the Pakistani context through postdramatic and performance theory lenses. Key performances discussed include Hamlet (2009), Richard III (2018), Here Lies a Noble Man (2015), and The Comedy of Errors (2014). The book also rigorously examines adaptations in Pakistani film and television, including the film Rahm, as well as television serials such as Burns Road ke Romeo and Juliet (2024) and Sang-e-Mah (2023). Drawing on a range of sources—live performances, video recordings, and Urdu translations of Shakespeare’s texts used specifically for performance—the study interrogates how Shakespeare is taught in Pakistan and how pedagogical approaches have evolved over time. The analysis further explores how Shakespeare’s texts are employed to investigate cultural differences and similarities between the West and the East. This book will be of particular interest to postgraduate students, scholars, and educators engaged in Shakespearean studies, especially within global and cross-cultural pedagogical contexts. Read more