This work investigates the evolution of British theatrical practice and dramatic literature in the decades following the mid-twentieth century. Ronald Hayman, an established critic and biographer, utilizes a chronological framework to analyze the shift from traditional staging to the experimental movements that defined the post-1955 era. He examines how social changes, institutional funding, and the emergence of new playwrights fundamentally altered the landscape of the British stage.

Critics often cite this text as a useful survey for understanding the mid-century transition in British drama. Scholars frequently note the author's focus on specific playwrights as a primary lens for interpreting broader institutional shifts.