The Art of the Playwright
Playwright Packard ( The Art of Screenwriting) describes well how plays are made and how to develop characters, dialogue, themes, plots, and conflicts. Each chapter deals with a single aspect of playwrighting, includes well-chosen scenes from classic plays, and ends with a brief piece of advice, etc. The book, however, is too brief, and Packard tends to oversimplify very complex issues. Still, an excellent introduction to playwrighting for both aspiring writers and theatergoers; a good companion to Simon Gray's An Unnatural Pursuit and Other Pieces (LJ 2/15/86). Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Inc., Amherst, Mass.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.