Designed to be the pre-eminent reference work on the English-speaking theatre in the 20th century. Its scope is international, though the theatre of English-speaking cultures is covered in the most detail. Over 2,250 entries are arranged alphabetically A - Z written by some 240 contributors from 20 countries, who include not only top-level experts, but, uniquely, leading professionals from the world of theatre. Individuals, institutions, places, countries, trends and genres are covered. Entries range from practical topics such as directing, acting, design, lighting, sound, voice, wig and prop making to historical surveys ranging from black theatre to gay and lesbian theatre, from pantomime, experimental theatre, theatre in the round to architecture, funding, drag and circus.
The twentieth century is the great century of change in the theatre and the entries capture this modern dynamism and its huge diversity. Bibliographies, a chronology and a detailed index are included. No other reference book on the subject has the authentic smell of greasepaint in its prose.
