Part one begins by examining the nature of Diderot’s theatrical revolution as it is revealed in the works of dramatic theory, the Entretiens sur Le Fils naturel and De la poésie dramatique, as well as in his letters and articles for the Correspondance littéraire. It also compares this theory with the level of innovation revealed in practical terms in the plays themselves. Diderot’s approach to theatrical dialogue seems to be one of the most original, and most frequently criticised, aspects of his dramaturgy and this is therefore the subject of a separate chapter.  Part two examines...