Over the past 200 years, theatre has often been a lightning rod for social and political upheaval in the United States. Even the plays of William Shakespeare have been the subject of violent debate. This surprising history is examined in two recent books by James Shapiro: Shakespeare in a Divided America and The Playbook.

Also, Trent Dalton's Love Stories, based on conversations with strangers on a Brisbane street corner, comes to the stage at this year's Brisbane Festival, and we pay tribute to the Australian playwright Jack Hibberd (Dimboola; A Stretch of the Imagination) who has died at the age of 84.