Re-localising Shakespeare in Pakistan: A Post-Dramatic Appropriation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew as Illaj-e-Zid-Dastiyab-Hey

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research examines the political nature of appropriation in Pakistan’s theatrical production Illaje-Zid-Dastiyab-Hey (2012), an Urdu adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (1590). During the Cultural Olympiad of 2012, the play was presented at London’s Globe Theatre under the direction of Haissam Hussain. The study investigates how the use of appropriative techniques enables the playwright to portray Pakistani identity and uphold the country’s cultural heritage. The paper argues that by contextualising and appropriating the work within the specific cultural and social milieu of Pakistan, the appropriated play strives to foster a sense of local identity and promote a deeper understanding of Pakistan among a diverse global audience. It accomplishes the above by analysing the changes in plot structure, symbol and sign display, musicalization, dance, and multimedia installations in the live performance of the Pakistani variant using Hans Theis Lehmann’s Post-dramatic theory (1960). Moreover, the study also examines how Hussain’s adaptation departs from conventional drama from a post-dramatic perspective. In addition to localising the play, this approach also enables a broader appreciation of Pakistan’s unique cultural heritage by depicting its cultural traditions and historical legacy.