Western Drama through the Ages: A Student Reference Guide [2 volumes]

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Description

The West has a long and rich dramatic tradition, and its dramatic works typically reflect the social and political concerns of playwrights and spectators. This book surveys the Western dramatic tradition from Ancient Greece to modern America. Included are chapters on great eras of drama, such as the Renaissance; national theatres, such as the theatres of Latin America, Ireland, and Poland; important theatrical movements, such as musical theatre and African American drama; and influential theatre styles, such as realism, expressionism, and surrealism. Entries are written by leading authorities and cite works for further reading. Students of literature and drama will appreciate the book for its convenient overview of the Western theatrical tradition, while students of history and social studies will welcome its illumination of different cultures and traditions. Designed for students, the book overviews Western drama from Ancient Greece to modern America. Included are chapters on great eras of drama, such as the Renaissance; national theatres, such as the theatres of Latin America, Ireland, and Poland; important theatrical movements, such as musical theatre and African American drama; and influential theatre styles, such as realism, expressionism, and surrealism. Each chapter is written by an expert contributor and offers an extended consideration of its topic and cites works for further reading. Students of drama and literature will value the book for its exploration of the Western theatrical tradition, while students of history and social studies will welcome its illumination of different cultures and traditions.

Reviews

"This student encyclopedia moves beyond basic definitions of dramatic concepts and the identification of key words and figures. The 45 thematically arranged articles are extended essays on the development of the dramatic art form from ancient Greece to the present....The result is a guide that will encourage the serious application of actively interested students. The set will add depth to drama collections in high school, public, and undergraduate libraries."-Lawrence Looks at Books
"This two-volume set is an overview of drama for high school and college students and also the general public. Included are 45 essays by 38 scholars on the history of Western theatre and drama from about 500 years before Jesus Christ to today....Excellent material here."-Catholic Library World
"Although there is inevitable variance in writing styles, the book is a coherent whole. The contents list is very easy to skim for a section that will be of most use, and this makes it a useful reference tool for the intended market. This will be a useful addition to specialist and general interest collections."-Reference Reviews
"[A]n essential addition to a drama reference collection."-American Reference Books Annual
"This two-volume reference guide offers 45 easy-to-read essays that cover theater history in Europe and the Americas from 500 BCE to the present. It includes very typical sections on the development of theater--classical, medieval, renaissance, and modern--plus contemporary features that distinguish it from other works. First, the geographically based sections include regional theater and range from "Polish Theater" to "Latin American Theater" to "Modern Canadian Drama." Next, a good number of sections are devoted to stagecraft itself, including directing styles, voice coaching, and dramaturgy. Essays on different aspects of drama, such as musical theater, expressionism, and gay drama, are included. Each section concludes with a list for further reading.... Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and high school students; general readers."-Choice
"This two-volume set serves as an overview of drama for high school and college students and theatergoers. With a focus on Western countries, the history of theater from 500 B.C. to the present is recounted, as are the contributions of different countries, specific plays, and theatrical techniques. King....[b]rings together 45 essays by contributors who are theater professionals and language and literature, drama, film studies, and English scholars mostly from the US. They cover movements and issues such as African American, biblical, outdoor, and contemporary drama that addresses spiritual belief, gay theater, gender, and musical theater. Genres and styles are discussed, as well as theater in practice, with descriptions of directing, acting, voice coaching, dramaturgy, costume design, and stages."-Reference & Research Book News
"[A] convenient survey of the Western dramatic tradition. Designed for students, it overviews Western drama from ancient Greece to modern America."-Library Media Connection
"King has compiled and edited a valuable resource of 45 essays by 38 scholars on the history of Western theater and drama through the ages and continents, from Ancient Greece to modern America....The "Further Readings" and many subheadings make the books easy to use for those needing an overview, and the bibliography will help anyone interested in looking further. The writing is accessible enough for high school students and yet adult enough for informed lay readers. Suitable for public libraries, high schools with a large drama focus, and academic libraries where students enroll in theater or drama courses."-Library Journal
"The several dozen scholarly contributors offer an interesting variety of approaches....Many of the essays provide more in-depth coverage than similar resources...."-School Library Journal
This two-volume set serves as an overview of drama for high school and college students and theatergoers. With a focus on Western countries, the history of theater from 500 B.C. to the present is recounted, as are the contributions of different countries, specific plays, and theatrical techniques. King....[b]rings together 45 essays by contributors who are theater professionals and language and literature, drama, film studies, and English scholars mostly from the US. They cover movements and issues such as African American, biblical, outdoor, and contemporary drama that addresses spiritual belief, gay theater, gender, and musical theater. Genres and styles are discussed, as well as theater in practice, with descriptions of directing, acting, voice coaching, dramaturgy, costume design, and stages.-Reference and Research Book News
King has compiled and edited a valuable resource of 45 essays by 38 scholars on the history of Western theater and drama through the ages and continents, from Ancient Greece to modern America....The "Further Readings" and many subheadings make the books easy to use for those needing an overview, and the bibliography will help anyone interested in looking further. The writing is accessible enough for high school students and yet adult enough for informed lay readers. Suitable for public libraries, high schools with a large drama focus, and academic libraries where students enroll in theater or drama courses.-Library Journal
[A] convenient survey of the Western dramatic tradition. Designed for students, it overviews Western drama from ancient Greece to modern America.-Library Media Connection

Author Bio

Kimball King is Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His previous publications include Twenty Modern British Playwrights (1977), Ten Modern Irish Playwrights (1978), and Ten Modern American Playwrights (1980).