This chapter presents a historical reading of theatre in the Arab world and situates Arab dramatists and playwrights in local and global contexts. It points to the significance of Lebanese dramatist Marun Al-Naqqash in Beirut and Syrian playwright Ahmad al-Qabbani in Damascus and Cairo at the time of the Arab nahda, the so-called Arab Awakening, which had its beginnings in the nineteenth century. The chapter then discusses Sa’dallah Wannous’ plays within the context of both Arabic and world drama. It aims to not only highlight Wannous as one of the most important contributors to modern Arabic theatre but to also acknowledge his indispensable influence on the repertoire of world theatre as a whole.