‘an astonishing work of scholarly reference that fills a conspicuous gap in the theatrical market ’, Michael Billington

The Oxford Dictionary of Plays provides essential information on the 1,000 best-known, best-loved, and most important plays in world theatre. Each entry includes details of the title, author, date of writing, date of first performance, genre, setting, and composition of cast; there is also a summary of the play's plot, and a brief commentary. Around 80 major plays are treated in detail, for example The Oresteia and Waiting for Godot. Genres covered include: burlesque, comedy, farce, historical drama, kabuki, masque, melodrama, morality play, mystery play, No, romantic comedy, tragicomedy, satire, and tragedy.