演劇は文明の中に現存する最も古い芸術表現の一つです。全ての人類の活動や文化は何らかの形で、演劇の中に取り入れられてきました。古今東西の演劇のさまざまな種類、例えば日本の能や、操り人形、ダンス、パントマイムなどは、いかに上演され、楽しまれてきたのでしょうか。文学とも非常に係わりの深い分野ですが、演劇を語るにあたり宗教との密接な関係への言及は欠かすことができません。宗教的な側面が大きいキリストの受難劇なども紹介しています。
 

• Looks at theatre in its various forms, from shadow puppetry used by Buddhist monks and missionaries to the development of the Noh theatre in Japan
• Explores how theatre has helped to shape culture
• Examines its close relations with religion, from the passion plays to The Book of Mormon
• Considers the often troubled relationship between literature and the dramatic text

  
From before history was recorded to the present day, theatre has been a major artistic form around the world. From puppetry to mimes and street theatre, this complex art has utilized all other art forms such as dance, literature, music, painting, sculpture, and architecture. Every aspect of human activity and human culture can be, and has been, incorporated into the creation of theatre.
  
In this Very Short Introduction Marvin Carlson takes us through Ancient Greece and Rome, to Medieval Japan and Europe, to America and beyond, and looks at how the various forms of theatre have been interpreted and enjoyed. Exploring the role that theatre artists play — from the actor and director to the designer and puppet-master, as well as the audience — this is an engaging exploration of what theatre has meant, and still means, to people of all ages at all times.