Covering the five centuries from Shakespeare's Bankside playhouses to today's West End, Paul Ibell's Theatreland explores the history and current state of the London stage, taking the reader through the streets and alleyways of the theatre capital of the world.

London's theatre district is quite literally built on the past. Although the book celebrates this, and the artistic achievements that still resonate today, it also emphasises that theatre is an art form that can only survive and flourish through fresh talent, new work and constant reinterpretation of old classics.

Through a series of entertaining and engaging chapters on themes, personalities and trends, Theatreland reflects the effortless co-existence between past and present that is such a feature of London's theatre world, and shows how actors and producers, playwrights and publicists, theatre historians and modern architects, choreographers, critics and customers all play their part in ensuring that London remains the theatre capital of the world. Theatreland brings back to life the generations of actors, impresarios, princes and playwrights who created and shaped this cityscape, and describes how the 21st century theatre industry continues to develop and change.