Buero Vallejo was not only a dramatist who opposed Francoism, but also totalitarian and Fascist structures per se. He did not purely oppose, he also proposed models of enlightenment to overcome these oppressive structures, models which were not only valid for Spain of the dictatorship but also for the democracy. The messages of his plays are applicable to any modern Western society. Through immersion effects, he challenges readers and authors to experience, reflect upon and break down repressive structures within them. He was and remains an author of our times in his permanent concern for the cause of enlightenment of mankind.

It was Buero's Historia de una escalera (1949) which restored serious and worthwhile drama, virtually at a stroke, to the beleaguered post-Civil War Spanish stage. Since then, Buero has premiered over twenty-five full length plays in Spain, and has seen his theatre translated into most of the world's major languages.

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It was Buero's Historia de una escalera (1949) which restored serious and worthwhile drama, virtually at a stroke, to the beleaguered post-Civil War Spanish stage. Since then, Buero has premiered over twenty-five full length plays in Spain, and has seen his theatre translated into most of the world's major languages.

"Eric W. Pennington's book, the latest and one of the best on Buero Vallejo's theater, thoughtfully frames careful analyses with the major theoretical approaches of the last half century. Pennington's knowledge of those theories and his insights into the various artistic influences on Buero's plays are remarkably thorough. Of particular note also is his intelligent, even literary prose---the perfect vehicle for evoking the artistic nuance, historical detail, and human impact of Buero's compelling dramatic achievements." Dr. Robert L. Nicholas, Professor Emeritus of Spanish, University of Wisconsin-Madison --