Theatrical Worlds

Reviewed by Noreen Barnes, Director of Graduate Studies, Theatre , Virginia Commonwealth University on 2/8/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 2

This text enters a very competitive market for introductory texts in Theatre. It is only partially comprehensive,
as some aspects of theatrical production are omitted, or given short shrift, such as playwriting, producing and dramaturgy. A huge drawback is that there is no glossary, no index, and no citation information for the quoted material in the book. Wikipedia does a better job of documenting source material.

Content Accuracy rating: 2

There are some spelling errors

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

With no mention of several of the important events in theatre in the last two years - particularly "Hamilton" - there are several
sections (Introduction and Chapter on Musical Theatre) that are now obsolete. Text should be updated with additions to be current.

Clarity rating: 2

Lucidity of prose varies from author to author (there are nine contributors). The strongest sections are those on design, particularly that on Scene Design. Explanations of jargon/terminology in the field are adequate.
Introduction in particular is arbitrary, meandering, and sometimes difficult to follow how the author is linking unrelated events. Text is interrupted by unrelated sidebars. Shakespeare section is circular, redundant, and in need of editing.

Consistency rating: 2

This varies from author to author.
The chapter on acting is an odd wander through acting history that stops abruptly with no contemporary teachers noted. The Genre chapter contains a section on "Isms" then does not even mention Surrealism, Symbolism, Expressionism and Futurism. The discussion is arbitrary, hard to follow, and off on some genres, such as the origin of the term "melodrama."

Modularity rating: 2

Sections can stand alone - and some should stand apart - from the text. I would use the design sections from this text, and complement them with other sources on other areas in theatre production.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

Discussion on Genre (one that would actually include more genres and be more organized) should be situated earlier in the text.

Interface rating: 1

There are no links - to actual source material would be nice.

Grammatical Errors rating: 2

Uneven - beginning with the description of the text on the UMN site that is incorrect and poorly written. Several incorrect names, captions, accent marks.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

The Directing chapter seems to imply that a director can manipulate a playwright's text at will - plays that are protected by copyright cannot be altered. Significant contributors to musical theatre omitted, such as the pioneering production, "Shuffle Along," and the work of George C. Wolfe. Although it's important to note the relationship of live theatre to film, there is too much mention of screen versions (and there should be a photograph of a stage production of "Les Mis" - not the movie).

Might be acceptable for high school students or community college students, but would need some supplementary materials.