Modern Theories of Drama concentrates on the developments in dramatic theory over the last 150 years, providing a crucial resource for students of drama and theatre studies. From Aristotle's Poetics onwards, drama - especially 'serious' drama - has been encased in a framework of theory, although the more popular forms of theatre have often chosen to ignore this.

However, from the eighteenth century until the present day, theoretical questioning of the 'rules' (Aristotelian and other) has constantly grown in scope and strength. Quite new concepts have arisen in this century, seemingly outdated ones have been resurrected.