The Semiotic Stage provides the first comprehensive summary of the writings that founded contemporary theater semiotics. The Prague School theater writings are placed in their theoretical context, and integrated in relation to major artistic areas like acting, design and dramatic writing. The influence of the Prague School and its relation to the current state of theater study are also thoroughly discussed.

Keir Elam showed how this new 'science' could provide a radical shift in our understanding of theatrical performance, one of our very richest and most complex forms of communication.

Jiří Veltruský (1919–1994) publikoval mnoho dílčích článků o sémiotice divadla, ale až na sklonku života se pokusil své poznatky, vycházející z pojetí Pražského lingvistického kroužku, shrnout do komplexní teorie. Ačkoliv dílo nebylo dokončeno, jeho rozsah umožnil posmrtně je rekonstruovat a v anglické verzi předložit odborné veřejnosti.

First published in 1980. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.