John Arden was one of the major playwrights to have emerged during the 1950s, yet his work has arguably been misunderstood. In this book, first published in 1974, Albert Hunt's primary concern is to relate the plays written by John Arden alone, as well as those written in collaboration with Margaretta D'Arcy, both to Arden's whole concept of theatre, and to his social and political attitudes. The book begins with a biographical introduction, followed by a play-by-play study of Arden's work and a survey of the impact of his plays in performance, alongside fascinating images. Celebrating the work and life of the playwright, this timely reissue will be of particular value to students of theatre studies as well as professional actors with an interest in John Arden's plays and theatrical ideologies.