The Syrian writer Saadallah Wannous (1941-1997) studied drama and journalism and worked as an editor on theatre magazines and newspapers, as well as being director of the Music and Theatre Department of the Ministry of Culture and National Guidance in Syria. He was the first Arab playwright to be chosen by UNESCO and the International Theatre Institute to deliver the annual message celebrating World Theatre Day on 27 March 1996.

Influenced by Western European drama, he transposed it to his own socio-political milieu, also formulating the concept of a ‘theatre of politicisation’ that he believed would more actively bring about change than political theatre. The main subject of his works was society’s relationship with the individual and its guiding principles. He used improvisation, live music, storytelling and audience participation, in which opinions could be shared about pressing moral dilemmas.

 

A short list of his plays: 
The elephant, Oh king of the time, The king is the king, Hanthala's Journey from slumber to consciousness, The rape, Fragments from history, Miserable dreams, A day of our time, Mirage epic, The drunken days.

 

That was the story. Which we acted. In the hope we can all learn a lesson from it. (The elephant)