Play (Citizen Despite His Nose) In the light of reception theory

This study delves into the current of celebration in the Arab theater from the perspective of the reader-response criticism. It introduces the concept of celebration, its definitions, applications, and Arabic background. It also defines the literary theory: reader-response criticism, as established by Wolfgang Iser and Hans-Robert Jauss, noting its development and applications.
As a model for the current of celebration in the Arab theater, this study applies reader-response criticism on the Arabian Gulf theater, using one of the leading Gulf plays ‘A Citizen, Despite Himself’, written by Saudi writer Dr. Malha Bent Abdullah.
We have attempted to apply some of the concepts of reader-response criticism in accordance with the celebration current in Arabic theater, using the script of Malha’s play, who has succeeded in attracting the reader and involve them in the creative process, using various symbols and signals.
The play has presented a model for an imagined Arab reality, using the concept of alienation and noting real and unreal dangers. It is a model for applying reader-response criticism and its basic tasks.
Through this study, the researcher aims to activate the principles of reading in reader-response criticism against an open script to present a sort of open reading, as categorized by Umberto Eco.