This paperback edition, incorporating corrections and updates, contains more distilled information on the theatrical arts of Asia-Oceania than any other single volume yet published. A broad-ranging pan-Asian essay lucidly explores the basic themes of ritual, dance, puppetry, masks, training, performance, while national entries provide the historical development of theater in twenty countries. Major theater forms of each country are accompanied by entries on significant playwrights, actors and directors. An index and reading lists make this work indispensable.