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

Enriched with a new preface, the first volume covers the period from religious theatre to the dramatic forms of classical Germany of Goethe. The second volume covers the period from the age of romanticism to the present day. (From the presentation on the back cover of the book)

The History of European Drama and Theatre is an important work because in it, theatrical practice is always described in relation to cultural history. Furthermore, with her research, [Lichte] always provides the reader with a key to each era. Therefore, this book is rightly considered an essential tool in the effort to understand theatrical tradition.