This volume investigates the evolution and cultural significance of the afterpiece in eighteenth-century English theater. Richard W. Bevis, a scholar of Restoration and eighteenth-century drama, utilizes historical records and primary play texts to argue that these short, often comedic works were essential to the structure of the period's theatrical experience. He examines how these pieces functioned as a counterbalance to the longer, more serious main plays of the era.

Scholars and students of theater history frequently cite this work as a foundational resource for understanding the specific sub-genres of the eighteenth-century stage. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to contextualize minor dramatic forms within the broader landscape of English literature.