This work deals with the development of theatre in Australia from 1788 to the 1980s. It is arranged in six sections. The first four sections deal with the periods 1788-1853, 1854-1900, 1901-1950 and 1950 -; each section contains an overview of the period, works by individual contributors on special aspects of theatre, a bibliography and a selection of primary source materials. The fifth section contains pictorial documents with annotations and the sixth section is a comprehensive bibliography. The work is lavishly illustrated with photographs, reproductions of portraits, theatre programmes, playbills, thatre plans and cartoons.