Alan Ayckbourn is, after Shakespeare is Britain s most performed playwright and acknowledged as one of its most skilful directors. In 50 years he has written more than seventy plays and directed three times that number emerging as a formidable dramatist of international renown. Dismissed at first as a mere boulevadier, he is now seen as an outstanding modern comic playwright, exploring themes of social and political importance with a bleak eye and a capacity to construct comedy out of the experience of the middle class audience. This book explores the range of his work which covers light comedy, farce, theatrical cartoon, musicals and plays for children. It defines the early influences and the developing themes, concentrating on Ayckbourn s technical skills and his challenges to Aristotelian unities. It traces the playwright s journey from observer of middle class dilemmas through moral and ethical commentator, and on to his concentration on fantasist behaviour and the nature of long term relationships. The comic eye which lies at the heart of this work is explored as a product of both dramatic technique and theatrical experiment.

A TV anchorwoman is invited to come spend time with an old friend, a year after his wife died. In just 3 days, her life, her dreams, and her desires all change.

An historic review of evidence on the Rhodesian Bush War 1965-1980. A compiling story of how identity played a crucial role in the outcome of war in Rhodesia. An in depth analysis of the conflict from a military and political prospective. The Cold War comes to life in Rhodesia.

The quality and quantity of design work devoted to a production depend on the script, the size and nature of the theatre company and its budget. This book explains fully the diverse functions and responsibilities of a designer. With a comprehensive glossary, an eclectic bibliography and even an up-to-the-minute list of suppliers and stockists, it can be used by amateurs and professionals alike as a guide and resource for arriving at imaginative stage design solutions.