The Cambridge Guide to Theatre [Hardcover]

Martin Banham (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521434378 | ISBN-13: 978-0521434379 | Publication Date: September 29, 1995 | Edition: 2

Widely acclaimed for its breadth and scope, The Cambridge Guide to Theatre Second Edition remains the most comprehensive single-volume guide to the history and current practice of worldwide theater available today. The Guide contains a wealth of information on all aspects of theater past and present: major playwrights, works, important traditions, theories, companies, practitioners, venues and events; the origins of popular theater tradition, including folk drama, street theater and mummers plays; the work of actors, directors and designers, including lighting and sound, technical theater, theater architecture and theater design. In this revision, all entries have been reviewed and updated to incorporate political changes and reflect the rise and fall of individual reputations. There are newly commissioned articles on Canada, Spain, New Zealand, Germany, the Caribbean and French-speaking Africa. Special attention has been paid to costumery and gay, lesbian, and feminist theater. A particularly strong feature of the new edition is the weight given to Asian theater and Asian influences on Western drama. By providing information and entertainment, the Guide will prove an indispensable reference tool both for scholars of theater and general theater lovers alike.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is a revised edition of The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre (1988), which was reissued in paper in 1992. There are more than 200 new entries and a reworking of many others. The breakup of the Soviet Union is treated in the entry Russia and the Republics of the Former Soviet Union. The miserable state of theater in the war-torn areas of Herzegovina, Bosnia, and Croatia is reflected in the revised entry Yugoslavia. The South Africa entry is updated to represent theater in a post-apartheid society. Asian Influences on Western Theatre, Stage Food, Lesbian Theatre, and Masks are examples of new articles. Directors', actors', and producers' entries have been updated; for example, 1993 and 1994 events in Peter Sellars' career are mentioned, and Alternative Theatre (USA) contains a cross-reference to his work. Entries on English-and French-speaking Africa are new. Individuals like Kenneth Branagh, who have gained recognition since the earlier edition, have been added. Jessica Tandy's entry notes her 1994 performance in the motion picture Nobody's Fool and her death. Although the entry remains the same, spellings have been changed in the article on China, "Yuan" is now "Zaju," etc. Many entries, however, do remain the same or have been updated only slightly by the addition of one or two sentences. The typeface in the 1988 edition was easier on the eyes, with cross-references in bold letters instead of the faint small caps in this new volume.

All articles are initialed by the authors from more than 25 countries, representing critics, independent scholars, playwrights, actors, and directors. Editor Banham is associated with other volumes, such as The Cambridge Guide to African and Caribbean Theatre (1994) and The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre (1993), that are subject subsets from the same database.

Phyllis Hartnoll's Oxford Companion to the Theatre (1983) is still a valuable resource for historical information. At a much higher cost, Routledge's World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre [RBB My 15 95], to be complete in five volumes plus an index, will be a formidable set. Libraries supporting vigorous drama programs will benefit from collecting all of the volumes mentioned here. Others will find The Cambridge Guide to Theatre a current and useful addition to their reference shelves.

Review

"Both theatre students and the general reader should find this of much use and interest. Highly recommended for all fine arts/theatre collections." Reference Book Review

"This resource offers a comprehensive view of the history and present practice of theater in all parts of the world....an impressive overview of a varied and multilayered subject. Because of the vastness and complexity of the art, it would be impossible to list all pertinent entries of interest. To create a complete guide to theater, it would easily require a dozen or more volumes. In this respect, this 1,233-page, 1-volume piece does an exceptional job of including matter the student and theatergoer may wish to know." ARBA

"A good book for dramatic browsing." Toronto Globe & Mail

"...truly international in perspective and coverage. The world-wide coverage makes it a superb reference book....indispensable and highly recommended." School Library Journal

"...authoritative and comprehensive...attractive to scholars and general readers." Library Journal

"Truly encyclopedic in scope and worldwide in breadth, this work presents much valuable information....updates and appears to expand considerably upon what is found in similar, standard publications..." R. G. Stephen, Choice

"...outstanding discussion on the theatrical history and traditions of most countries of the world. The index and cross references enable readers to move easily from one major topic to related articles. This comprehensive work, aimed at scholars, students, and general readers, will prove invaluable..." American Libraries

"...a gem of a reference tool: it is hard to imagine anyone in the theatre who would not benefit from owning a personal copy." Theatre Studies

"...This exciting new edition reviews and updates all entries to incorporate political changes and world theatre social transitions...provides an excellent historical review and guide to past and present theatre movements...Excellent and well detailed." The Bookwatch

"...a current and useful addition to reference shelves." Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1247 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (September 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521434378
• ISBN-13: 978-0521434379
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.3 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)