Sheila Cavanagh's book deftly collaborates and extends across borders: intellectual, disciplinary, sensory, institutional and geographic. Her scope is radically inclusive, and the specialized communities she discusses range widely in character and situation. What I admire about this research is its urgent social commitment, its clear-eyed view of cultural capital, and its creative and respectful partnership with theatre makers of all kinds. Cavanagh has an eye for the compelling anecdote or quotation that brings a context or individual to life, and her book is always alert to the irreducible individuality of the encounters she discusses. If you are sceptical about Shakespeare in such specialized settings (I think I was before reading this), Cavanagh's work, combining analysis with joy and academic insight with personal empathy, will persuade you to think again.

Emma Smith, University of Oxford, UK

Sheila Cavanaugh is a unique voice in the Shakespeare world: she not only studies Shakespeare productions in every part of the globe, but in this new book she reveals the relevance of Shakespeare to include the most disenfranchised. This is an original, haunting book.

Tina Packer, Founding Artistic Director, Shakespeare & Company, USA