A major project begun in 1973 reaches its conclusion with the publication of volumes 15 and 16 of the "Biographical Dictionary, "a series considered "a reference work of the first order" by "Theatre and Performing Arts Collections."

Among performers highlighted in these last volumes is Catherine Tofts, a gifted singer whose popular acclaim was captured in lines by Samuel Phillips: "How are we pleas d when beauteous Tofts appears, / To steal our Souls through our attentive Ears? / Ravish d we listen to th inchanting Song, / And catch the falling Accents from her Tongue." The first singer...

This comprehensive volume lists and describes all known eighteen century British and Irish promptbooks. Each entry includes the location of the copy, shelf mark, production for which the prompt-book was prepared (theatre, date, prompter's name, if known), the types of notes the copy contains (description of setting, entrance notes, costume notes, ground plans, warnings, cues, stage movement, line interpretation), and citations of any books or articles that have dealt with the copy. The illustrations of sample pages from some of the promptbooks listed will provide the reader with a fuller...