Having always been an integral part of the sociocultural fabric of our world's communities and civilizations, the theatre today remains an active and poignant institution. Understanding its deep roots and societal variations is the key to comprehending other cultures, our own culture, and common social themes. This book is a cultural resource for all -- from infrequent play-goers to theatre buffs, from aspiring actors to experienced professionals. Providing the most comprehensive chronological survey of the theatre's history as a sociocultural institution, this book is written by two of the most widely respected historians in the field. In this eighth edition of the bestseller, the authors retain all of the traditional features of the book while sharpening, updating and reinterpreting information. They address new revisionist scholarship and add new methodologies, plays and playwrights. Theatre novices or professionals, teachers of theatre, theatre history, history, or the arts, and others interested.