Five years ago, an archeological expedition came to Menaxus to explore the ruins of an ancient theatre. All but one of the visitors died horribly, and the planet was abandoned, bathed in lethal radiation.

Now the only survivor has returned, determined to uncover the theatre's secrets whatever the cost. Among her archaeological team is a certain Professor Bernice Summerfield.

Soon the deaths begin again, while the front line of an interstellar war moves ever closer. Desperate for help, Bernice tries to summon her companions. But when the TARDIS lands on the planet, the Doctor finds himself participating in a frighteningly real performance of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy. And he begins to realize that the truth about Menaxus may be far stranger than anyone imagines.

JUSTIN RICHARDS is the co-author of the foremost DOCTOR WHO reference magazine IN VISION. He has written extensively for most of the major DOCTOR WHO magazines over the last fifteen years. THEATRE OF WAR is his first novel.