From TLS, a review of Scandal on Stage: European Theater as Moral Trial by Theodore Ziolkowski. From Arion, a review of The Necessity of Theater: The Art of Watching and Being Watched by Paul Woodruff (and more). From Consciousness, Literature and the Arts, an essay on the theatre and civilisation; a review of Memory in Play: From Aeschylus to Sam Shepard by Attilio Favorini; and a review of Stage Fright, Animals, and Other Theatrical Problems by Nicolas Ridout. Young Jean Lee wants to banish Disney from America's stages — the result is exciting and unnerving. Mere fact, mere fiction: In an impassioned riposte to his critics, David Hare argues why good theatre should never be confused with journalism. A review of The American Stage: Writing on Theater From Washington Irving to Tony Kushner (from the Library of America). Measuring theatre success: The play's a hit but how can you tell? Backers of a new system claim audience reaction is the best indication of effectiveness. From Bookforum, Deborah Jowitt reviews The New Music Theater: Seeing the Voice, Hearing the Body by Eric Salzman and Thomas Desi. The new face of Yiddish theater: An article on the magic of Shane Baker. Enter God, stage left: Sex and politics permeate the theatre, but religion rarely gets a look in — and it's time for a comeback. From The New Yorker, a look at David Mamet on his methods as a director and writer. Are plays proper literature? The collaborative and transient nature of theatre clearly spooks the gatekeepers of "real literature" — it shouldn't. Are we in an age of globalized theatre? Dan Rebellato investigates. Benjamin Radford on the theatre haunted by a doughnut-eating poltergeist. Check out PlayBlog for Broadway news and theatre information by the staff of Playbill.com.
