Modern British and Irish dramatic works are widely enjoyed by general readers and high school students. But because they are rooted in literary Modernism and generally reflect particular historical and cultural concerns, they can also be difficult for students to understand. This volume concisely and conveniently introduces 10 masterpieces of British and Irish drama in an accessible manner. The book begins with an introductory essay on the historical context of early Modernism, the nature of theater at the beginning of the 20th century, and the trends that have shaped modern Irish and British drama. Each of the chapters that follow is devoted to a particular play. These include: BL The Playboy of the Western World BL Saint Joan BL Juno and the Paycock BL Private Lives BL Waiting for Godot BL Look Back in Anger BL The Birthday Party BL Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead BL Translations BL And Top Girls. Each chapter provides a brief biography, a plot summary, a discussion of major themes and characters, an overview of the play's historical background, an analysis of the play's dramatic style, a survey of the play's critical reception, and suggestions for further reading.

This wide-ranging Companion to Modern British and Irish Drama offers challenging analyses of a range of plays in their political contexts. It explores the cultural, social, economic and institutional agendas that readers need to engage with in order to appreciate modern theatre in all its complexity. An authoritative guide to modern British and Irish drama. Engages with theoretical discourses challenging a canon that has privileged London as well as white English males and realism. Topics covered include: national, regional and fringe theatres; post-colonial stages and multiculturalism; feminist and queer theatres; sex and consumerism; technology and globalisation; representations of war, terrorism, and trauma.

This wide-ranging Companion to Modern British and Irish Drama offers challenging analyses of a range of plays in their political contexts. It explores the cultural, social, economic and institutional agendas that readers need to engage with in order to appreciate modern theatre in all its complexity. An authoritative guide to modern British and Irish drama. Engages with theoretical discourses challenging a canon that has privileged London as well as white English males and realism. Topics covered include: national, regional and fringe theatres; post-colonial stages and multiculturalism; feminist and queer theatres; sex and consumerism; technology and globalisation; representations of war, terrorism, and trauma.

Modern British and Irish dramatic works are among the plays most widely read by students. This volume conveniently introduces 10 major plays by British and Irish dramatists. Each chapter is devoted to a particular play and includes a brief biography, a plot synopsis, a discussion of major themes and characters, an overview of the play's historical background, an analysis of the work's dramatic style, an overview of the play's critical reception, and a list of works for further reading. Modern British and Irish dramatic works are widely enjoyed by general readers and high school students. But because they are rooted in literary Modernism and generally reflect particular historical and cultural concerns, they can also be difficult for students to understand. This volume concisely and conveniently introduces 10 masterpieces of British and Irish drama in an accessible manner.

Focusing on major and emerging playwrights, institutions, and various theatre practices this Concise Companion examines the key issues in British and Irish theatre since 1979. Written by leading international scholars in the field, this collection offers new ways of thinking about the social, political, and cultural contexts within which specific aspects of British and Irish theatre have emerged and explores the relationship between these contexts and the works produced. It investigates why particular issues and practices have emerged as significant in the theatre of this period.

"This superb collection of eighteen plays has long been needed. It provides a sound and solid introduction to the rich field of modern Irish drama, and should be as delightful to the private reader as it will be useful for university classes."--Journal of Irish Literature Contents: Spreading the News and The Gaol Gate-- Lady Gregory; On Baile's Strand and the Only Jealousy of Emer--W.B. Yeats; The Land--Padraic Colum; The Playboy of the Western World--J.M. Synge; Maurice Harr--T. C. Murray; The Magic Glasses--George Fitzmaurice; Juno and the Paycock- -Sean O'Casey; The Big House--Lennox Robinson; The Old Lady Says "No "--Denis Johnston; As the Crow Flies--Austin Clarke; The Paddy Pedlar--M. J. Malloy; The Vision of Mac Conglinne--Padraic Fallon; The Quare Fellow--Brendan Behan; All that Fall--Samuel Becket; Da--Hugh Leonard; Translations--Brian Friel

Focusing on major and emerging playwrights, institutions, and various theatre practices this Concise Companion examines the key issues in British and Irish theatre since 1979. Written by leading international scholars in the field, this collection offers new ways of thinking about the social, political, and cultural contexts within which specific aspects of British and Irish theatre have emerged and explores the relationship between these contexts and the works produced. It investigates why particular issues and practices have emerged as significant in the theatre of this period.