In the History of European Drama and Theater, Erika Fischer-Lichte reconstructs the European theatrical history from the era of Greek tragedy to Heiner Müller. Each chapter highlights a part of the development, status, and functions of theater within the social context of the respective era. The study is accompanied by exemplary analyses of works by representative authors.

Enhanced with a new preface, the first volume covers the period from religious theater to the dramatic forms of classical Germany by Goethe. The second volume covers the period from the Romantic era to the present day. (From the presentation on the back cover of the book)

The History of European Drama and Theater is a significant work because it always describes the theatrical act in relation to cultural history. Also, through her research, [Lichte] consistently provides the reader with a key to each era. Therefore, this book is rightly a fundamental tool in the effort to understand the theatrical tradition.