Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Getting started
Reading the play
Stage directions

Chapter 2 Characters and persons
Expectations about character
Three aspects of dramatic character
Mapping characters
Developing the aspects of dramatic character
Character articulation
Further aspects of dramatic character
Character at work

Chapter 3 Diatogue
The workings of dialogue
The workings of conversation
Speech acts
The stylistics of theatrical prose and verse
Dialogue， speaking position and the choices of reading

Chapter4 Plot and action
Plot， action and situation
Modelling action
Story， plot and narration
Character and scenes

Chapter 5 The actor's body
Stage directions
Limits and margins

Chapter 6 Spaces
Space and A Doll's House
A systematic approach to space
Models and maps of theatrical space

Chapter 7 Cutture and interpretation
Writers
Location
Performers
Audiences
Interpretation
Glossary
Bibliography
Index