Ideal for students, scholars, theatre professionals, amateur drama enthusiasts and theatre-goers, The Oxford Guide to Plays provides essential information including title, author, dates of composition and first performance, genre, composition of the cast, plot synopsis and a brief commentary on 1,000 of the best-loved and most important plays in world theatre. An index of characters helps the reader to find particular characters and to trace the trajectory of major historical and legendary characters, and an index of playwrights enables the reader to find details of all the plays included by the author. The most significant plays – from The Oresteia to Waiting for Godot – are dealt with in more detail.

Michael Patterson is professor of theatre at De Montfort University, Leicester. He has published six books on German theatre and one on political theatre.

`Review from previous edition This is an astonishing work of scholarly reference that fills a conspicuous gap in the theatrical market. I've tested it against plays I've had to review and each time I've found it informative, illuminating and helpful. It is a remarkable achievement.' Michael Billington

`The work's strength is in Patterson's superb synopses. The volume is superbly formatted. It is a fascinating and accessible dictionary that invites a broad readership.' Jeremy Piper, THES

`This dictionary is a useful and efficient reference book for professionals and amateurs alike.' What's on in London