The Oxford Companion to the Theatre

By Phyllis Hartnoll

Book Overview

Since the third edition of The Oxford Companion to the Theatre appeared in 1967, theatre throughout the world, and especially in European and all English-speaking countries, has undergone a series of changes swifter and more far-reaching than at any other time in its history. While maintaining the primary purpose of preceding editions in providing a solid survey of the development of the theatre from its beginnings in primitive ritual to the present day in all countries that have a continuing theatrical tradition, this new edition offers more information on contemporary writers, directors, players, companies, and theatres, both metropolitan and regional. An extensive system of cross-referencing leads the reader to entries containing related information, and a generous bibliography offers aguidance on further reading. Entries dealing with technical subjects emphasize the historical perspective, throwing light on the remarkable accomplishments of earlier practitioners of theatrical illusion: they are illustrated where necessary with diagrams. Over 200 other illustrations are placed in thematically-arranged groups: functioning independently of the text, they show the changes of vision brought to bear on theatrical production over more than 2000 years.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192115464
• ISBN13: 9780192115461
• Release Date: October 1983
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 942 Pages
• Weight: 3.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 6.8" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A thorough guide to theatre, a must to any theatre scholar

I have found this guide to be an invaluable resource for researching theatre topics. It is an excelent referece, that gives the reader the direction necessary for more in depth research. Several well selected image plates clearly demonstrate key theatrical works, and illustrations in the book are excelent. Every college theatre major and professor should own this book.