Editor’s Notes: Joe Orton’s “What the Butler Saw” is a farcical and absurdist comedy from the 1960s that unfolds in a psychiatrist’s office, visited by a cast of eccentric characters, including a cross-dressing hotel porter, a promiscuous nurse, and a …
Tartuffe is a play written by the French playwright Molière in the 17th century. It tells the story of a wealthy man named Orgon who falls under the influence of the fraudulent religious zealot Tartuffe, and the efforts of Orgon’s …
Anton Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Set on a rural estate in late 19th century Russia, the play follows the lives of a group of characters who are struggling with feelings …
Fences, written by August Wilson in 1983, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that tells the story of Troy Maxson, a middle-aged African American man living in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. The play explores themes of racial discrimination, family, and personal …
Editor’s Summary: This paper analyzes Sophie Treadwell’s 1928 play “Machinal,” focusing on themes of individual freedom, societal constraints, and feminine rebellion. Through an exploration of narrative structure, character development, and historical context, the study highlights the play’s enduring relevance. “Machinal” …
The Homecoming is a play written by Harold Pinter in 1964. It tells the story of a family of men who live together in a London house, and the arrival of their brother Teddy and his wife Ruth, who has …
Look Back in Anger, a play written by John Osborne and first performed in 1956, is a cornerstone of what has come to be known as the “Angry Young Men” movement in British theater. The play centers on the character …
The Bald Soprano is a absurdist play written by Eugene Ionesco that explores the breakdown of communication and the absurdity of societal norms. The play centers around the Smith family, a seemingly normal middle-class family, and their interactions with their …
Woyzeck, written by Georg Büchner, is a powerful and poignant play that explores the life and psyche of its titular character, a poor and downtrodden soldier. The play is based on the true story of Johann Christian Woyzeck, a real-life …
A Raisin in the Sun is a powerful and thought-provoking play written by Lorraine Hansberry. The play centers around the Youngers, a struggling African-American family living in Chicago in the 1950s. The family is torn between their desire to escape
Angels in America is a groundbreaking play written by Tony Kushner that explores the intersection of politics, religion, and sexuality during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The play consists of two parts: “Millennium Approaches” and “Perestroika.”
Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, is a tragic play that tells the story of Oedipus, the King of Thebes, as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a plague that has befallen his city. As Oedipus delves deeper into the …
Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller, is a powerful and poignant play that explores the life and psyche of its titular character, Willy Loman. Willy is a failing salesman who has devoted his entire life to the pursuit …
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a powerful and unsettling play written by Edward Albee. The play centers around the tumultuous relationship between George and Martha, a middle-aged couple who invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey, to their home
Editor’s Summary: Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” is a harrowing exploration of the Tyrone family’s struggles with addiction, illness, and deep-seated resentment. Set in 1912, the play focuses on Mary Tyrone’s battle with morphine addiction and the resulting …