World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Africa (Vol 3) (Paperback)

~ Don Rubin (Author) "The American expatriate poet Gertrude Stein once said that the problem in dealing with Los Angeles as a geographical entity was that 'there's no there..." (more)
Key Phrases: national theatre community, ujamaa era, hira gasy, South Africa, New York, Sierra Leone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This useful compendium of information begins with several general essays on African drama, including some 32 dramatic traditions in Black Africa. (There is a separate volume for Arabic Africa.) Some small dramatic traditions are covered by overview essays, but most countries have sustained studies that achieve a surprising degree of depth and subtlety covering many cultures and languages. They examine traditional ritual as well as formal theatrical drama. Entries follow a common form, beginning with an historical essay; moving on to discussions of the national theater, artistic profiles of important dramatists, theater for young audiences, puppet and mask theater, and architecture; and ending with a unit on training, criticism, scholarship, and publishing. Each chapter ends with a strong bibliography, and an extensive general bibliography is included as well. Together with the previous volumes on Europe (LJ 2/15/95) and America (1995), this effort succeeds admirably at promoting interest in global theater.?Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

'A number of significantly confident entries ... and some whose usfulness lies not only in content but also in the fact that other works of African theatre reference have not noted them so fully. A strong feature of the volume is its illustrations ... [which] contribute helpfully to the contemporary record of theatre in Africa.' - Martin Banham, University of Leeds

'In this excellent encyclopedia ... an impressive team of African scholars and theater profesionals has compiled a stunning country-by-country introduction to the theater of sub-Saharan Africa. Not simply an aid to research, this volume gives an exciting introduction to Africa's varied and vibrant theatrical scene, too little known in the US. Highly recommmended.' - Choice

'Indispensible for anyone interested in African culture or in modern theatre ...' - Times Literary Supplement

'It continues the series' excellent tradition of having each essay written by an author from the country being written about. The structure of the essays and the background information included in each make this work invaluable to anyone interested in the recent history of African theatre.' - Reference & User Services Quarterly

'Succeeds in bringing the researcher into the political/cultural framework of performance in context and is an invaluable resource not only for scholars in the performing arts but also for cultural anthropologists, sociologists and others. A welcome addition to all serious performing arts collections.' - Booklist

'The subject is theatre as Africans have created and experienced it. The result is indispensable for anyone interested in either African culture or in modern theatre. It is a significant achievement.' - Times Higher Education Supplement

'The world of theatre has something new to treasure and to celebrate.' - Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature

'This is a fine example of the contribution made by UNESCO to the recording and encouragement of the world's cultural heritage. The vivid reality is conveyed, accompanied by some telling photos. I recommend this very welcome volume. - Reference Reviews

'Writers from almost every nation on earth profile native expressions of music, dance, and puppet an dramatic theater since 1945 and comment on trends in design, training, criticism, and scholarship, in six insightful, inclusive, and entertaining volumes.' New York Public Library named The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre, Six-Volume Set as one of their Best of Reference selections, April 2002

The subject is theatre as Africans have created and experienced it. The result is indispensable for anyone interested in either African culture or in modern theatre. It is a significant achievement. - Times Higher Education Supplement

This is a fine example of the contribution made by UNESCO to the recording and encouragement of the worlds cultural heritage. The vivid reality is conveyed, accompanied by some telling photos. I recommend this very welcome volume. - Reference Reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (October 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415227461
• ISBN-13: 978-0415227469
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,400,178 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)