"Reaching back in time and across the world, this authoritative and wide-ranging new history draws on the latest scholarly research to describe and celebrate theatre's greatest achievements over 4,500 years, from festival performances in ancient Egypt to international multi-cultural theatre in the late twentieth century." "Beginning with the origins of theatre in Greece and Rome, and in the early civilizations of Africa and the Americas, the book then guides the reader through the full spectrum of dramatic representation in Europe - from medieval mystery cycles and miracle plays to the Renaissance in Italy, Spain, England, and France; from Lope de Vega and Calderon to Shakespeare, Corneille, Moliere, and Racine; the Golden Age in Spain to Restoration London. In Part Three the focus widens in four period surveys: the Eighteenth Century, the Nineteenth Century, Modern Theatre 1890-1920, and Theatre After Two World Wars. Finally, there are three stimulating essays on the main theatres of Asia and a concluding account of theatre since 1970." "Throughout the book, the chronological record is related to a number of general themes, including theatre's changing role within society, the reasons for popularity or failure, varieties of form and means of production, interactions with other art forms and with contemporary currents of thought. In addition, the text gives due weight to technical, practical, and organizational issues - backstage personnel and equipment; musicians; light and sound technicians; set designers; and financiers - and to the role of audiences and critics."--Jacket.