Covering 400 years of dramatic history--from the vital, competitive theater of Shakespeare's own lifetime to the wealth of interpretations, both classical and experimental, of the present day--this volume is the only modern stage history of its kind. Featuring a range of exciting essays from specialists in all aspects of Shakespeare production, and including a special chapter by Dame Judi Dench on the actor's perspective on the Bard, this volume is the essential Shakespearean stage reference. Copiously illustrated with both color photographs and black and white halftones, this magnificent resource offers a compelling and comprehensive account of the subject--from Burbage at the Globe to Branagh at the Barbican--and is a book that no Shakespeare lover will want to be without.