The Cambridge guide to theatre /

The new edition improves on the excellent first edition (The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre, CH, Jun'89). It "contains over two hundred entirely new entries, and major reworkings of many other substantial entries." The worldwide list of scholarly contributors, expanded by 50 percent, now numbers more than 160; all entries are signed. Significant events that changed or expanded theater practice or understanding since the first edition are not appended to the original article, but are interwoven within articles. The original intention of the first edition is reiterated: to offer "a comprehensive view of the history and present practice of theatre in all parts of the world, thus pointing to the dynamic interaction of performance traditions from all cultures in present day theatre." This edition is encyclopedic in scope and international in coverage. The articles have a depth one might not expect in a volume as comprehensive as this. To be sure, there are short, pithy entries (e.g., "Stainless Stephen" or "Pepper's ghost"). The "Less Obvious Entries" list in the first edition has been expanded from 37 to more than 100; these entries help define the extent of topics covered and their various categories ("claque," "inns as playhouses,; "nudity," "waxworks," etc.). At the same time, the work covers in fine detail many national theater traditions, dramatic theory, criticism and censorship, as well as stage lighting, sound and design, and hundreds of theater personages. The editor aims "to offer both students of the theatre and the general theatregoer information, assessment and entertainment, and a base from which they may explore particular interests." Enthusiastically recommended for serious students and general theatergoers. R. G. Stephen; emeritus, Rider University

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. (Reviewed December 1, 1995)