C. Bernd Sucher explains in an informed and entertaining manner what happens on, in front of, and behind the theater stage, what directors, dramaturgs, and actors are up to, and the significance of elements such as masks, costumes, lighting, and props. He describes how to prepare for visits to plays and operas, what to pay attention to during such an evening, and how to form a well-founded judgment that goes beyond vague dissatisfaction. Along the way, readers will learn interesting facts about aesthetic ideas from Kant to Lessing, become familiar with important definitions of terms like "the interesting" or "the shocking," and be delighted with a wealth of examples from both classical and modern theater repertoires. All of this is presented in a relaxed conversational tone and serves only one purpose: to enhance the enjoyment of the next theater visit—regardless of whether one enjoys the performance afterward.