Sophie Anthropological Theatre Studies

The significance of this research lies in the presenting of a new methodology for transformation of a specific aspect of the North African heritage(specifically Tunisia,Algeria and Morocco)-Sufi Hadra Ceremony,into a theatrical performance,known as Anthropo-Sufi Drama Performance.This type of performance reconciles with the Western theatrical stage without Aristotelian domination in its final form.The principles and steps of this transformation process have been structured on the basis of combination of anthropological and theatrical spheres.The research includes six integrative chapters developed by applying of the cultural-historical analysis,formal and stylistic analysis,and comparative analysis,as well as experimental and descriptive methods used to define the main features of Anthropo-Sufi Drama Performance.The first chapter describes the transformation process and methods to rebuild the Sufi Hadra Ceremony into a performance on a Western stage.The following five chapters describe the five basic elements of the Anthropo-Sufi Drama performance: sensory scenography,visual technical script,actor-performer,directorcoordinator and carnival audience.The experimental side of the research was represented by the production of a theatrical show “Savitri.The Daughter of Fire”.It has become the result of Sufi Hadra Ceremony transformation.The first step of the experiment was based on deconstructing the Sufi Hadra Ceremony's appearance by using a Western theatrical approach.The second step was characterized by the involvement of oriental elements in the performance.This process was expressed in the "stylization of theatrical image" through the use of "anthropological practices" that focused on the human behavioral aspect in the Sufi Hadra Ceremony.The purpose of creating a show similar to the Sufi Hadra Ceremony is for the realization of the same unity between the performers and audience that is known as "the Unity of Existence".This is done by reaching a concentration level similar to the stages of achieving the Fana or Euphoria level obtained during the collective ceremonial process.Through this process it is possible to reach the same feeling of euphoria at the end of the show which is the parallel concept of the Aristotelian Catharsis in the Western theater.Finally,the purpose of presenting the Anthropo-Sufi Drama as a form that opposes the literature theater and supports the idea of a performative theater is the adoption of the stylization of theatrical image method by employing the anthropological practices from the oriental heritage and transforming them according to the structure of the Western theatrical stage without canceling the Eastern spirit in it.As a result,the Anthropo-Sufi Drama performance is a different theatrical form from the performances based on the Aristotelian model.However,there might be some similarities in specific aspects,because the origins of theatrical practices are based on the existential human practices related to human anthropological expression.