Combining authoritative writing with superb illustration, The Cambridge Illustrated History of British Theatre is a fascinating exploration of the development of the live performing arts in Britain from the earliest times to the present day. Taking a broad view of theater, the book covers everything from the minor and "illegitimate" to the mainstream and "official"--whether the mystery plays of the Middle Ages or the "real time drama" of Coronation Street, the courtly theater of Shakespeare or the contemporary "fringe." The book is aimed at both students and general readers. Simon Trussler is a retired drama professor at the University of London and the editor of New Theatre Quarterly. Printed on heavy, glossy paper and filled with beautiful illustrations, many in color, this sweeping history of British theater from Roman times to the present could pass as merely a great coffee-table book. Trussler has taken care, however, that his exhaustive, highly readable history be more than mere literary decoration for the pictures, just as he has striven to make his book better than a college-level textbook (it would make a good companion to some Intro. to Brit. Theatre class, though). Theater enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy his fascinating effort, not least for its sidebar discussions of various genres (mime, the court masque, etc.) and of prominent actors and writers (David Garrick, Aphra Behn, etc.) as well as its consideration of forms of public performance--most notably, medieval carnivals and fairs and traveling mime troupes--that influenced drama but have hitherto been passed over in favor of more respectable forms of entertaining. Jack Helbig "Simon Trussler has produced a work whose wit, readability and inclusiveness--and even inventive layout--make it the very model of modern theater history." John Simon, The New York Times Book Review "...filled with beautiful illustrations, many in color, this sweeping history of British theater could pass as merely a great coffee-table book. Trussler has taken care, however, that his exhaustive, highly readable history be more than mere literary decoration for the pictures, just as he has striven to make his book better than a college-level textbook....Theater enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy his fascinating effort..." Jack Helbig, Booklist "...until Trussler's [book], I do not recall reading a complete history of the theatre in this country which puts everything into context...Trussler has therefore discovered a gap in the market and well he fills it...Taken a chapter at a time, the sheer magnitude of Trussler's task, the amount of effort and scholarship he has put into it, becomes evident, not least the careful selection of illustrations...a considerable work of reference, covering not only the plays, the actors, the styles of playing and the theatres themselves, but the social and political attitudes of each era..." Stage A major illustrated history of British theatre from the earliest times to the present day. Combining authoritative writing with superb illustration, The Cambridge Illustrated History of British Theatre is a fascinating exploration of the development of the live performing arts in Britain from the earliest times to the present day. Taking a broad view of theatre, the book covers everything from the minor and 'illegitimate' to the mainstream and 'official'--whether the mystery plays of the Middle Ages or the 'real time drama' of Coronation Street, the courtly theatre of Shakespeare or the contemporary 'fringe'. The book is aimed at both students and general readers. Used Book in Good Condition