'In this highly personal and comprehensive survey of contemporary drama, Dominic Dromgoole, one of Britain''s most innovative young directors, celebrates the plays and playwrights at the forefront of theatre today. All the way from A-Z, Dromgoole''s engaging and provocative short essays include his thoughts on Sebastian Barry, Edward Bond, April de Angelis, Pam Gems, David Hare, Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh, Conor McPherson, Harold Pinter, Mark Ravenhill, and many, many more. Intelligent, partisan, enthusiastic and always illuminating, this is an insider''s guide to the key shapers of theatre over the last decade, and essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary theatre. ''We are living in the middle of a carnival, a free festival, a fete, a flower show, a harvest home, a steam fair, a rock festival, a grand glorious tender wild burst of new plays.'' Dominic Dromgoole'.