Book excerpt: A comprehensive guide to theater with two main emphases, on international theater and on performance in its widest sence, which is a rich source of information for students, professionals, theatergoers and the general reader and also acts as a stimulus to further exploration of areas of world theaters often neglected in many contemporary works of reference. Entries are arranged alphabetically and provide factual information on important traditions, theories, companies, playwrights, practioners, venues and events, with over 250 informative illustrations.