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

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