Dramaturgy: A Revolution in Theatre is the first substantial history of the origins of dramaturgs and literary managers - people who act as advisers and play-doctors at todays theatres. Mary Luckhurst examines the major theorists and practitioners, arguing that Brecht, Granville Barker and Tynan have central places in this history. Contentious figures, often accused of sinister intent, the numbers of dramaturgs have multiplied considerably in the last few decades. This study investigates the political and cultural agendas behind this revolution, and whether dramaturgs are mentors or censors.

Mary Luckhurst is Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University of York. Her publications include On Directing, On Acting and The Drama Handbook (with John Lennard), and she has co-edited Theatre and Celebrity in Britain 1660-2000. Her current projects include editing Blackwell's Companion to Twentieth-Century British and Irish Drama, Blackwell's Companion to Contemporary Theatre, and a book on Caryl Churchill. She has written numerous articles on contemporary theatre for journals such as Contemporary Theatre Review. In addition to her academic research, Mary Luckhurst is also a playwright, dramaturg and director, and has most recently directed Caryl Churchill's Far Away at the York Theatre Royal.

Introduction; 1. Lessing and the Hamburgische Dramaturgie; 2. Dramaturgy in nineteenth-century England; 3. William Archer and Harley Granville Barker: constructions of the literary manager; 4. Bertolt Brecht: the theory and practice of the dramaturg; 5. Kenneth Tynan and the National Theatre; 6. Dramaturgy and literary management in England today; 7. Conclusion.