Author: The Editor

What the Butler Saw is a play written by the English playwright Joe Orton in the 1960s. It is a farcical and absurdist comedy that centers around the chaos and confusion that ensues when a psychiatrist’s office is visited by a series of absurd characters, including a cross-dressing hotel porter, a sexually promiscuous nurse, and…

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 family and friends to expose Tartuffe for the fraud he is. The play was initially…

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 of despair, disillusionment, and unfulfilled desires. At the center of the play is the character…

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 responsibility. The play begins with Troy and his friend Bono discussing the fact that Troy’s…

Machinal, written by Sophie Treadwell in 1928, is a play that explores the theme of individual freedom and rebellion against societal expectations. The play is based on the real-life murder trial of Ruth Snyder, who was convicted of killing her husband in 1927. Treadwell uses Snyder’s story as a way to comment on the limitations…

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 been living in America. The play is known for its complex characters and the use…

Hedda Gabler, a play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, tells the story of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and societal expectations. Hedda, the titular character, is a complex and multifaceted figure whose actions and desires are driven by a mix of personal ambition and a desire to break free from the confines…

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 of Jimmy Porter, a disillusioned and embittered young man who rails against the stagnant and…

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 neighbors, the Martins. Throughout the play, Ionesco uses the characters and their interactions to explore…

Waiting for Godot is a timeless and thought-provoking play written by Samuel Beckett. The play centers around the lives of two men, Estragon and Vladimir, who are waiting by a tree for the arrival of a mysterious figure known as Godot. As they wait, they engage in a series of conversations and activities that serve…

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 soldier who was tried and executed for the murder of his mistress. Throughout the play,…

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 their impoverished circumstances and the societal expectations placed upon them as a minority family. At…

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.” “Millennium Approaches” follows the lives of several characters as they navigate the challenges of the…

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 mystery, he is forced to confront the disturbing realization that he is responsible for 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 of the American Dream, only to find himself struggling to make ends meet and facing…

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 for a late-night drinking session. As the night wears on, George and Martha’s facade of…