Edited by Ian Herbert, President of the International Association of Theatre Critics, Secretary of the Drama Section of the Critics' Circle in London, and editor of Theatre Record, the chronicle of the British stage, and Nicole Leclercq, Archives et Musée de la Littérature, Brussels, the World of Theatre is a lavishly illustrated biennial publication providing on-the-spot and authoritative surveys of current theatrical activity from across the globe. The content of the book is as varied as the theatrical situations it describes, from magisterial round-ups by leading critics in Europe to desperate and pitiful reports from the battlefield in war-torn countries. With expanded coverage, this new edition encompasses the three seasons from 1999 to 2002 and contains articles from over seventy countries. The contributors include leading commentators such as Jim O'Quinn, editor of American Theatre, and England's Peter Hepple, the longest serving London theatre critic and a former editor of The Stage. The World of Theatre will be welcomed by theatre scholars as an ongoing revision of another Routledge reference work, the World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre and is essential reading for anyone seeking up-to-date information on the developments in the leading theatre nations as well as those countries whose theatre is little known outside their boundaries.

This insightful and engaging new title in the Theatre & series explores the various connections between theatre and Islam. Drawing on both historical and recent examples to trace their relationship and offer a new perspective on a topical subject, this persuasive text argues against a long-standing assumption that Islam has worked in opposition to theatrical presentation. From the 13th century puppet plays of Ibn Daniyal to Islamic themes in 21st century productions, Theatre and Islam is chronologically wide-ranging and ambitious in its scope. Ambitious yet concise, this is the perfect introduction for undergraduate and postgraduate students of religious studies, Islamic studies, Middle Eastern studies and drama.

An encyclopedia describes all aspects of world culture, broken down into six regional categories, discussing the art, dance, fashion, food, pastimes, periodicals, recreation, and transportation of each region

"Lorca's theatre, like that of Strindberg and Tennessee Williams, voices his personal dilemmas, not least his homosexuality. This study of all his plays examines the way in which the dramatist's life was transformed into high art through influences as varied as Surrealism and Greek tragedy. In an attempt to cover as many aspects of Lorca's theatre and the time in which he lived as possible, Gwynne Edwards deals not only with the plays themselves but includes material on the social and political character of the 1920s and 1930s, on the cultural background, on Lorca's friendships with Dalí and Buñuel and on the performances of the plays in his lifetime and afterwards. Lorca is by far the best-known and most popular Spanish dramatist in the English-speaking world, not to mention Continental Europe. Anyone who wishes to know more about him will find it in this volume."--Publisher description.

A lively and accessible biographical guide to the key figures in modern drama and performance. Its distinctive blend of information, analysis and anecdote makes for entertaining and enlightening reading.Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre is a lively and accessible biographical guide to the key figures in contemporary drama. All who enjoy the theatre will find their pleasure enhanced and their knowledge extended by this fascinating work of reference. Its distinctive blend of information, analysis and anecdote makes for entertaining and enlightening reading. Hugely influential innovators, household names, and a whole host of less familiar, international figures - all have their lives and careers illuminated by the clear and succinct entries. All professions associated with the theatre are represented here - actors and directors, playwrights and designers. By virtue of the broad range of its coverage, Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre offers a unique insight into the rich diversity of international drama today.

The Methuen Drama Handbook of Theatre History and Historiography is an authoritative guide to contemporary debates and practices in this field. The book covers the key themes and methods that are current in theatre history research, with a particular focus on expanding the object of study to include engagement with theatre and performance practices and the development of theatre histories around the world. Central to the book are eighteen specially commissioned essays by established and emerging scholars from a wide range of international contexts, whose discussion of individual case studies is predicated on their understanding and experience of their 'local' landscape of theatre history. These essays reveal where important work continues to be done in the field and, most valuably, draws on academic contexts beyond the Western academy to expand our knowledge of the exciting directions that such an approach opens up. Prefaced by an introduction tracing the development of the discipline of theatre history and changing historiographical approaches, the Handbook explores current issues pertaining to theatre and performance history research, as well as providing up to date and robust introductions to the methods and historiographic questions being explored by researchers in the field. Featuring a series of essential research tools, including a detailed list of resources and an annotated bibliography of key texts, this is an indispensable scholarly handbook for anyone working in theatre and performance history and historiography.