About the Book:

Rare book, very limited quantities available

International in scope, the Continuum Companion to Twentieth-Century Theatre is designed to be the pre-eminent reference work on the English-speaking theatre in the twentieth century. Arranged alphabetically, consists of some 2500 entries written by 280 contributors from 20 countries, which include not only top-level experts, but, uniquely, leading professionals from the world of theatre.

Coverage includes individuals, institutions, places, countries, trends and genres. 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 in the round, to architecture, funding, drag, and circus.

The twentieth century was the great century of change in the theatre, and the entries capture this dynamism and its huge diversity. No other reference work on the subject has the authentic smell of greasepaint in its prose.

What people say:

"An Invaluable, encyclopedic work of research and a thought provoking introduction to the world of theatre." — Richard Eyre

"The book succeeds in making us aware of the multifarious aspects of modern theatre, political and sexual, as well as artistic." — The Stage

"The text serves as a jumping off point, giving satisfactory information to readers seeking short answers … Topics are covered here that might otherwise prove elusive … A particular highlight is the collection of articles throughout written by practising theatre professionals … Valuable." — Library Journal

"astonishing scholarship and research... no reference library or centre of theatre research dare be without it … a cornucopia of reference into every aspect of theatre from performance to academia … many entries are devoted to important work in amateur theatre." — Amateur Theatre

"a less academic, more interesting style than the typical reference work... covers a wider geographic terrain than the Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre and is more contemporary … only here, for example, are there entries on digital performance and the Internet … Recommended." — Booklist

"…the work's international coverage is broad, it uses contemporary terminology, and it features highlights from performers' perspective (e.g. Performing Shaw by Daniel Massey). Recommended for general readers through professionals." — Library Journal

About the Author:

Colin Chambers is Professor of Drama at Kingston University in London. Formerly a journalist, theatre critic and Literary Manager of the Royal Shakespeare Company (1981 – 1997), before becoming Professor of Drama, he was Senior Research Fellow in Theatre at De Montfort University and Reader in Drama at Kingston.