Drama
Embrace the intensity and beauty of life with our Drama collection. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, explore plays that move the heart. Delve into works that examine human emotions, conflicts, and transformations.
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Harold Pinter
|
Grove
Press
The Caretaker / the Dumb Waiter
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Jacket description.back: In all of Pinter's plays, seemingly ordinary events become charged with profound, if elusive, meaning, haunting pathos, and wild comedy. In The Caretaker, a tramp finds lodging in the derelict house of two brothers; in The Dumbwaiter, a pair of gunmen wait for the kill in a decayed lodging house. Harold Pinter gradually exposes the inner strains and fear of his characters, alternating hilarity and character to create and almost unbearable edge of tension.
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Peter Sellars, Rokia Traoré, Toni Morrison |
Oberon
Books
Desdemona
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The story of Desdemona from Shakespeare's Othello is re-imagined by Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison, Malian singer and songwriter Rokia Traoré, and acclaimed stage director Peter Sellars. Morrison's response to Sellars’ 2009 production of Othello is an intimate dialogue of words and music between Desdemona and her African nurse Barbary. Morrison gives voice and depth to the female characters, letting them speak and sing in the fullness of their hearts. Desdemona is an extraordinary narrative of words, music and song about Shakespeare’s doomed heroine, who speaks from the grave about the traumas of race, class, gender, war — and the transformative power of love. Toni Morrison transports one of the most iconic, central, and disturbing treatments of race in Western culture into the new realities and potential outcomes facing a rising generation of the 21st century.
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In this quintessential Shakespearean tragedy, a young prince's halting pursuit of revenge for the murder of his father unfolds in a series of highly charged confrontations that have held audiences spellbound for nearly four centuries. Those fateful exchanges, and the anguished soliloquies that precede and follow them, probe depths of human feeling rarely sounded in any art. The title role of Hamlet, perhaps the most demanding in all of Western drama, has provided generations of leading actors their greatest challenge. Yet all of the roles in this towering drama are superbly delineated, and each of the key scenes offers actors a rare opportunity to create theatrical magic.As if further evidence of Shakespeare's genius were needed, Hamlet is a unique pleasure to read as well as to see and hear performed. The full text of this extraordinary drama is reprinted here from an authoritative British edition complete with illuminating footnotes.
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M.M. Mahood, William Shakespeare |
Cambridge
University
Press
The Merchant of Venice
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The Merchant of Venice is an excellent read for those who enjoy Shakespearean classics with themes revolving around justice and prejudice. The play's unique and distinctive feature is its portrayal of the Jewish character, Shylock, and the exploration of his character as the villain. Readers will appreciate the play's emphasis on mercy and the consequences of prejudice towards certain groups. Overall, it is a timeless piece that explores complex themes.
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Elizabeth Seely, John Seely, Stuart McKeown |
Heinemann
Educational
Books
The Merchant of Venice (new edition)
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The Merchant of Venice (new edition) (Heinemann Shakespeare) [Hardcover] Seely, John; Seely, Elizabeth and McKeown, Stuart
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H.J. Oliver, William Shakespeare |
Arden
Shakespeare
"Timon of Athens"
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Goodreads rating: 3.44
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"The New Penguin Shakespeare" offers a complete edition of the plays and poems. Each volume has been newly prepared from the original texts and includes an introduction, a list of further reading, a commentary, and a short account of the textual problems of the play.
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Gwynne Edwards, Federico García Lorca |
Methuen
Drama
The House of Bernarda Alba : La Casa de Bernarda Alba
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Goodreads rating: 3.85
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Bernarda Alba is a widow, and her five daughters are incarcerated in mourning along with her. One by one they make a bid for freedom, with tragic consequences. Lorca's tale depicts the repression of women within Catholic Spain in the years before the war.
The House of Bernarda Alba is Lorca's last and possibly finest play, completed shortly before he was murdered by Nationalist sympathisers at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Inspired by real characters and described by the author as 'a true record of village life', it is a tragic tale of frustration and explosive passions in a household of women rulled by a tyrannical mother.
Edited with invaluable student notes - a must for students of Spanish drama.
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William Shakespeare
|
Penguin
Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
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This classic Shakespearean play is a must-read for anyone who loves tragic romances. It explores the theme of fate and the consequences of decisions made out of passion. Its most distinctive feature lies in its portrayal of the powerful force of love, which can both unite and destroy. Reading Romeo and Juliet is an unforgettable experience that will leave readers contemplating the nature of love and sacrifice.
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William Shakespeare
|
Arden
Shakespeare
"Troilus and Cressida"
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Book by Shakespeare, William
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Stephen Bevington
|
Manchester
University
Press
The Spanish Tragedy
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The "revenge" play became the most durable and commercially successful type of drama on the Elizabethan stage. This example by Thomas Kyd, who was one of the originators of the genre, brings to life the intrigues of the Spanish court, dramatically juxtaposing romantic passion with sudden violent death and clandestine politics. The ghost of Dan Andrea and his guide Revenge observe the dark and bloody action throughout, provoking questions about the nature of the human condition.
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Ann Thompson, Edited by Ann Thompson |
C.u.p.
The Taming of the Shrew
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The Taming of the Shrew is a classic Shakespearean play that is popular worldwide. This revised edition by Ann Thompson provides line-by-line commentaries and textual notes, making it an ideal choice for students and enthusiasts wanting to understand the deeper meaning and controversy surrounding the play. The editor's emphasis on the problematic nature of debates about the play and its reception in the twenty-first century is a particularly unique feature that makes this edition highly recommended.
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SparkNotes, William Shakespeare |
Penguin
Books
Ltd.
Usa
Twelfth Night (No Fear Shakespeare)
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Twelfth Night is a great choice for anyone who finds Shakespeare's language intimidating. The modern translation on the right-hand pages is extremely useful for understanding the play's linguistically complex scenes. The commentary and character descriptions also help readers gain a greater appreciation for Shakespeare's works.
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Jill L. Levenson, William Shakespeare |
Oxford
University
Press
Romeo and Juliet: The Oxford Shakespeare
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Recommended for those who appreciate timeless romance. Shakespeare's thematic mastery shines in this iconic play.
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Luigi Pirandello, Eric Bentley |
Signet
Six Characters in Search of an Author
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Recommendation: Six Characters in Search of an Author is an existential masterpiece, exploring the blurred lines between fiction and reality. It's an excellent read for anyone who enjoys plays that delve into human psychology and the nature of existence. The play's unique feature is the concept of the characters coming to life and demanding to be put on stage, blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality. Users would praise the play's thought-provoking and emotionally charged themes.
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William Shakespeare
|
Geddes
&
Grosset
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
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This book could be a good read for anyone who wants to experience the timeless works of William Shakespeare, from tragedy to comedy, history to romance, fantasy to horror. The glossary of obsolete words and variations from their ordinary established meaning makes the reading experience easier to understand. This book is a must-have for literature lovers who want to delve into the vast range of human experience that is still poignant in modern times. Users would most likely review this book as a must-read classic that never goes out of style.
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Hailed by George Bernard Shaw as 'useful [corrective] to the romantic conception of war', R.C. Sherriff's "Journey's End" is an unflinching vision of life in the trenches towards the end of the First World War, published in "Penguin Classics". Set in the First World War, "Journey's End" concerns a group of British officers on the front line and opens in a dugout in the trenches in France. Raleigh, a new eighteen-year-old officer fresh out of English public school, joins the besieged company of his friend and cricketing hero Stanhope, and finds him dramatically changed. Laurence Olivier starred as Stanhope in the first performance of "Journey's End" in 1928; the play was an instant stage success and remains a remarkable anti-war classic. R.C. Sherriff (1896-1975) joined the army shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, serving as a captain in the East Surrey regiment. After the war, an interest in amateur theatricals led him to try his hand at writing. Following rejection by many theatre managements, "Journey's End" was given a single performance by the Incorporated Stage Society, in which Lawrence Olivier took the lead role. The play's enormous success enabled Sherriff to become a full-time writer, with plays such as "Badger's Green" (1930), "St Helena" (1935), and "The Long Sunset" (1955); though he is also remembered as a screenplay writer, for films such as "The Invisible Man" (1933), "Goodbye Mr Chips" (1933) and "The Dam Busters" (1955).
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John Gay, Bryan Loughrey |
Penguin
Books
The Beggar's Opera
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‘Whore and rogue they call husband and wife:All professions be-rogue one another'The tale of Peachum, thief-taker and informer, conspiring to send the dashing and promiscuous highwayman Macheath to the gallows, became the theatrical sensation of the eighteenth century. In The Beggar’s Opera, John Gay turned conventions of Italian opera riotously upside-down, instead using traditional popular ballads and street tunes, while also indulging in political satire at the expense of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Gay’s highly original depiction of the thieves, informers, prostitutes and highwaymen thronging the slums and prisons of the corrupt London underworld proved brilliantly successful in exposing the dark side of a corrupt and jaded society.Bryan Loughrey and T. O. Treadwell’s introduction examines the eighteenth-century background of musical theatre and opera, the changing cityscape of London and the corruption of the legal system. This edition also includes a note on the music in The Beggar’s Opera and suggestions for further reading.
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Stephen Sondheim, George Furth |
Theatre
Communications
Group
Company (TCG Edition)
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Company's honest portrayal of modern relationships, coupled with Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score, makes it a must-read for both musical lovers and those seeking a refreshing take on love and marriage. The play's episodic format and fresh perspective on the typical musical comedy structure make it an innovative work that will leave you entertained and introspective.
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Samuel Beckett
|
Faber
And
Faber
Ltd.
Waiting for Godot : A Tragicomedy in Two Acts
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Subtitled 'A tragicomedy in two Acts', and famously described by the Irish critic Vivien Mercier as a play in which 'nothing happens, twice', En attendant Godot was first performed at the Theatre de Babylone in Paris in 1953. It was translated into English by Samuel Beckett, and Waiting for Godot opened at the Arts Theatre in London in 1955.'Go and see Waiting for Godot. At the worst you will discover a curiosity, a four-leaved clover, a black tulip; at the best something that will securely lodge in a corner of your mind for as long as you live.' Harold Hobson, 7 August 1955'I told him that if by Godot I had meant God I would have said God, and not Godot. This seemed to disappoint him greatly.' Samuel Beckett, 1955
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William Shakespeare
|
Wordsworth
Editions
Ltd.
Hamlet
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Edited, Introduced and Annotated by Cedric Watts, Professor of English Literature, University of Sussex. The Wordsworth Classics' Shakespeare Series presents a newly-edited sequence of William Shakespeare's works. The Textual editing takes account of recent scholarship while giving the material a careful reappraisal. Hamlet is not only one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, but also the most fascinatingly problematical tragedy in world literature. First performed around 1600, this a gripping and exuberant drama of revenge, rich in contrasts and conflicts. Its violence alternates with introspection, its melancholy with humour, and its subtlety with spectacle. The Prince, Hamlet himself, is depicted as a complex, divided, introspective character. His reflections on death, morality and the very status of human beings make him 'the first modern man'. Countless stage productions and numerous adaptations for the cinema and television have demonstrated the continuing cultural relevance of this vivid, enigmatic, profound and engrossing drama.
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"The Odd Couple is a must-read for lovers of classic comedy. The dynamic between the fastidious Felix and the messy Oscar is both hilarious and heartwarming. Neil Simon's witty writing perfectly captures the chaos that comes with two very different roommates. You won't be able to stop laughing as you join them on their ridiculous, yet relatable journey of friendship."
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Cedric Watts, William Shakespeare |
Wordsworth
Classics
Romeo and Juliet
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"Romeo and Juliet" is a timeless classic that plunges into the heart of youthful love pitted against the irreconcilable hatred of two rival families. The intensity of the love shared between the two protagonists is as much a tribute to the power of affection as it is a poignant reminder of the senselessness of societal feuds. The melodic quality of Shakespeare's verse adds to the profound emotional impact of the story, making it a perennial favorite among those who appreciate the beauty of language and the complexities of love and tragedy.
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William Shakespeare
|
Arden
Shakespeare
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
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Professor Schlueter approaches this early Shakespearean comedy as a parody of two types of Renaissance educational the love-quest story and the test-of-friendship story, which by their combination show the pitfalls of high-flown human ideals. A thoroughly researched, illustrated stage history reveals changing conceptions of the play, which has tempted many nineteenth- and twentieth-century directors and actors, who often fail, nevertheless, to come to terms with the play's subversive impetus.
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John Crowther, SparkNotes, William Shakespeare |
Sparknotes
The Merchant of Venice (No Fear Shakespeare)
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In this lively comedy of love and money in sixteenth-century Venice, Bassanio wants to impress the wealthy heiress Portia but lacks the necessary funds. He turns to his merchant friend, Antonio, who is forced to borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio's business falters, repayment becomes impossible--and by the terms of the loan agreement, Shylock is able to demand a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia cleverly intervenes, and all ends well (except of course for Shylock).
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William Shakespeare, Roma Gill |
Oxford
University
Press
Oxford School Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
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This edition of Romeo and Juliet is especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. This edition includes illustrations, preliminary notes, reading lists (including websites) and classroom notes, allowing students to master Shakespeare's work.About the Series: Newly redesigned and easier to read, each play in the Oxford School Shakespeare series includes the complete and unabridged text, detailed and clear explanations of difficult words and passages, a synopsis of the plot, summaries of individual scenes, and notes on the main characters. Also included is a wide range of questions and activities for work in class, together with the historical background to Shakespeare's England, a brief biography of Shakespeare, and a complete list of his plays.
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If anything, Othello has increased its stature as one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies ever since it was first written, between 1603 and 1604, due to the victimisation suffered by its tragic hero, Othello, as a result of his skin colour. Othello is a "noble Moor", a North African Muslim who has converted to Christianity and is deemed one of the Venetian state's most reliable soldiers. However, his ensign Iago harbours an obscure hatred against his general, and when Othello secretly marries the beautiful daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio, Iago begins his subtle campaign of vilification, which will inevitably lead to the deaths of more than just Othello and Desdemona. An extraordinary play, both for its dramatic economy and power as well as its remarkable language, from Othello's bombastic "traveller's history" to Desdemona's elegiac "willow song", the play raises uncomfortable questions about ongoing questions of not only racial identity but also sexuality, as Othello and Desdemona's sexual relationship becomes the voyeuristic site of Iago's attempt to destroy them. Particularly fascinated with the question of what it means to "see", Othello also contains one of the greatest tragic death scenes in all of Shakespeare, with Othello's final identification with "a malignant and a turbaned Turk". --Jerry Brotton
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William Shakespeare
|
Wordsworth
Classics
Romeo And Juliet
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Love, sex and death are the components of Shakespeare's classic story of the love of two young people which reaches across the barriers of family and convention. It encompasses great love, high drama, low comedy and a tragic ending.Romeo and Juliet is a pure tragedy of youth told in verse that is both youthful and intense. The loveliness and the music of the poetry make believable the otherwise commonplace afflications of blighted love. The beautiful personification of some of the main characters has caused Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and the Nurse to become part of the world's literary mythology.The text of this edition is taken from the Cambridge University Press New Shakespeare, edited by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and John Dover Wilson.(back cover)
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Eric Rasmussen, Jonathan Bate, William Shakespeare |
Palgrave
Macmillan
Antony and Cleopatra
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This book is a perfect read for those who are drawn to tales of forbidden love and power struggles. Antony and Cleopatra beautifully captures the intense and passionate romance between two iconic figures from history, immersing the reader in the world of ancient Egypt and Rome. With Shakespeare's masterful storytelling and the RSC's expert insights, this edition brings a fresh perspective to the timeless love story, making it a captivating read for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
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J A Bryant Jr., Sylvan Barnet, William Shakespeare |
Signet
Classic
Romeo And Juliet
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Romeo and Juliet is a must-read classic for those who love passionate and tragic romance stories. Shakespeare's masterful prose highlights the beauty and intensity of love while also examining the lengths people will go for the sake of family honor and revenge. The Signet Classics edition provides a comprehensive view of the play's creation and reception, making it an excellent choice for both first-time readers and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike.
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William Shakespeare, Stephen Orgel, Claire McEachern |
Penguin
Classics
Henry IV, Part 2
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If you're intrigued by the interplay of politics and personal ambition, "Henry IV, Part 2" is a must-read. It delves into the complexities of leadership and the weight of legacy, all while maintaining Shakespeare's characteristic linguistic mastery. As part of the Pelican Shakespeare series, this edition offers the bonus of insightful essays and scholarly notes that enrich an understanding of the Bard's world, making it especially valuable for students or anyone with a keen interest in Elizabethan theatre.
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J.M. Synge, Ann Saddlemyer |
Oxford
University
Press
The Playboy Of The Western World And Other Plays - Riders To The Sea; The Shadow Of The Glen; The Tinker's Wedding; The Well Of The Saints; The Playboy Of The Western World; Deirdre Of The Sorrows
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Synge was one of the key dramatists in the flourishing world of Irish literature at the turn of the century. This volume offers every one of his plays, which range from racy comedy to stark tragedy, all sharing a memorable lyricism. The introduction to this new, definitive edition sets the plays in the context of the Irish literary movement, with special attention to Synge's role as one of the founders of the Abbey Theatre and his work alongside W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory.Includes: Riders to the Sea The Shadow of the Glen The Tinker's Wedding The Well of the Saints The Playboy of the Western World Deirdre of the Sorrows
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William Shakespeare
|
Harpercollins
Publishers
Richard II
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Richard II is a classic play that would resonate with readers who love historical fiction. The book depicts the tragedy of a monarch whose poor leadership has ostracized him from his subjects. Readers would enjoy the vivid portrayal of royal politics and the consequences of deceit and dishonor in a monarchy.
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William Shakespeare, Janis Lull |
Cambridge
University
Press
King Richard III
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The New Cambridge Shakespeare appeals to students worldwide for its up-to-date scholarship and emphasis on performance. The series features line-by-line commentaries and textual notes on the plays and poems. Introductions are regularly refreshed with accounts of new critical, stage and screen interpretations. For this second edition of King Richard III, Janis Lull has added a new section to her introduction, in which she focuses on contemporary productions of the play as well as recent scholarly criticism. Lull emphasises the importance of women's roles in this popular drama but shows how the text has frequently been cut, rewritten and reshaped by directors and actors to enhance the role of Richard, often at the expense of female characters. The special relationship between King Richard III and Macbeth is also explored while the notes detail the play's language in terms that are easily accessible to contemporary readers.
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Tennessee Williams
|
New
Directions,
A Streetcar Named Desire
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The Pulitzer Prize and Drama Critics Circle Award winning play—reissued with an introduction by Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman and The Crucible), and Williams’ essay “The World I Live In.”It is a very short list of 20th-century American plays that continue to have the same power and impact as when they first appeared—57 years after its Broadway premiere, Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desireis one of those plays. The story famously recounts how the faded and promiscuous Blanche DuBois is pushed over the edge by her sexy and brutal brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. Streetcar launched the careers of Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden, and solidified the position of Tennessee Williams as one of the most important young playwrights of his generation, as well as that of Elia Kazan as the greatest American stage director of the ’40s and ’50s.
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When a deranged boy, Alan Strang, blinds six horses with a metal spike he is sentenced to psychiatric treatment. Dr. Dysart is the man given the task of uncovering what happened the night Strang committed his crime, but in doing so will open up his own wounds. For Dysart struggles to define sanity, and justify his marriage, his career, and his life of normality; ultimately he must ask himself: is it patient or psychiatrist whose life is being laid bare? The most shocking play of its day, "Equus" uses an act of violence to explore faith, insanity and how the materialism of modern life can destroy humanity's capacity for pain and passion.
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'night, Mother is a taut and fluid drama that addresses different emotions and special relations. By one of America's most talented playwrights, this play won the Dramatists Guild's prestigious Hull-Warriner Award, four Tony nominations, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and the Pulitzer Prize in 1983.'night, Mother had its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in December 1982. It opened on Broadway in March 1983, directed by Tom Moore and starring Anne Pitoniak and Kathy Bates; a film, starring Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek, was released in 1986.
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Recommendation:
The Birthday Party could be a good read for someone who enjoys psychological suspense and dark, unsettling narratives. This play takes you on a journey into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of identity, power dynamics, and the fragility of social conventions. With its enigmatic characters and unexpected twists, this modern classic will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning reality and the true nature of human nature.
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William Shakespeare, Roma Gill |
Oxford
University
Press
The Merchant of Venice
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Critical commentary accompanies the story of Antonio, who risks his life to borrow money from his enemy, Shylock, and is saved by Portia, an heiress posing as a lawyer.
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w-shakespeare
|
Longman
The Tempest
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This enduring play by Shakespeare tells the story of a sorcerer's revenge against his enemies. With themes of forgiveness and redemption, it is a thought-provoking read for those interested in complex characters and dramatic storytelling. The photography and interpretation-based questions in this edition make it an excellent resource for students studying the play.
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William Shakespeare, Jay L. Halio |
Oxford
University
Press
Merchant of Venice
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This edition provides valuable historical and cultural context, shedding light on the controversial themes and characters in the play. It also includes a fresh modernized text for easy reading, making it a great choice for both students and general readers interested in Shakespeare's exploration of complex societal issues such as anti-Semitism, loyalty, and love.
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Walter C.M. Woon
|
Marshall
Cavendish
International
(asia)
Pte
Ltd
The Devil's Circle - The Advocate's Devil Trilogy
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Goodreads rating: 3.5
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Recommendation:
- This book is a gripping conclusion to Walter Woon's The Advocate's Devil trilogy, diving into the chaotic world of post-war Singapore. Set against a backdrop of racial tensions and political unrest, it explores the complexities of loyalty and justice in a vivid and thought-provoking manner. If you enjoyed the previous books in the series or have an interest in historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of war, this is a must-read.
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William Shakespeare
|
Oxford
University
Press
MERCHANT OF VENICE
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Goodreads rating: 3.78
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The Oxford School Shakespeare is a well-established series which helps the reader to understand and enjoy Shakespeare's plays. Each play in the series contains the complete text with an extensive range of notes, background information on Shakespeare's England, suggestions for further reading,a brief biograohy of Shakespeare, and a complete list of his plays.
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William Shakespeare
|
Oxford
University
Press
Measure For Measure
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Goodreads rating: 3.67
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Measure For Measure is a thought-provoking tragedy that challenges readers to consider the complex nature of justice and mercy. With critical and historical notes accompanying the text, readers can gain an even deeper understanding of the story's themes. Shakespeare's masterful storytelling is on full display, making this a must-read for fans of classic literature.
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Alden T. Vaughan, William Shakespeare |
Arden
Publishers
Tempest
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Goodreads rating: 3.79
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Recommended for Shakespeare enthusiasts and those who appreciate themes of power dynamics and redemption. The Tempest's unique feature is its blend of fantastical elements with human emotions and relationships, making it a timeless classic in literature.
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William Shakespeare, SparkNotes |
Sparknotes
The Taming of the Shrew (No Fear Shakespeare)
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Goodreads rating: 3.75
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No Fear Shakespeare puts Shakespeare's language side-by-side with a facing-page translation into modern English—the kind of English people actually speak today. ebook (online read) can be found here Renowned as Shakespeare's most boisterous comedy, The Taming of the Shrew is the tale of two young men, the hopeful Lucentio and the worldly Petruchio, and the two sisters they meet in Padua. Lucentio falls in love with Bianca, the apparently ideal younger daughter of the wealthy Baptista Minola. But before they can marry, Bianca's formidable elder sister, Katherine, must be wed. Petruchio, interested only in the huge dowry, arranges to marry Katherine -against her will- and enters into a battle of the sexes that has endured as one of Shakespeare's most enjoyable works.
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Arthur Miller
|
Penguin
Books
A View from the Bridge
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Goodreads rating: 3.7
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Arthur Miller's play A View from the Bridge is a tragic masterpiece of the inexorable unravelling of a man, set in a close-knit Italian-American community in 1950s New York.Eddie Carbone is a longshoreman and a straightforward man, with a strong sense of decency and of honour. For Eddie, it's a privilege to take in his wife's cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, straight off the boat from Italy. But, as his niece Catherine begins to fall for one of them, it's clear that it's not just, as Eddie claims, that he's too strange, too sissy, too careless for her, but that something bigger, deeper is wrong - and wrong inside Eddie, in a way he can't face. Something which threatens the happiness of their whole family.
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Edward Storer, Luigi Pirandello |
Dover
Publications
Six Characters in Search of an Author
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Goodreads rating: 3.83
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"Six Characters in Search of an Author" is a unique and thought-provoking play that dives deep into the themes of existence, reality, and art. It challenges the traditional notions of theater by presenting an open-ended, unconventional drama that leaves the interpretation up to the audience. This play would be an excellent read for those who enjoy intellectual comedy and are interested in exploring philosophical themes through literature.
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At the beginning of the 20th Century, Leopoldstadt was the old, crowded Jewish quarter of Vienna. But Hermann Merz, a manufacturer and baptised Jew married to Catholic Gretl, has moved up in the world. Gathered in the Merz apartment in a fashionable part of the city, Hermann's extended family are at the heart of Tom Stoppard's epic yet intimate drama. By the time we have taken leave of them, Austria has passed through the convulsions of war, revolution, impoverishment, annexation by Nazi Germany and - for Austrian Jews - the Holocaust in which 65,000 of them were murdered. It is for the survivors to pass on a story which hasn't ended yet.Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt was first performed at Wyndham's Theatre, London, in January 2020. 'One of Britain's greatest living playwrights to provide his most personal play yet.' The Times'The news that Tom Stoppard has written a new drama ranks as top-end seismic activity.' Daily Telegraph
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William Shakespeare
|
Collins
Classics
Uk
Much Ado About Nothing
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Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, William (england)
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George Bernard Shaw
|
Pearson
Education
Pygmalion
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Goodreads rating: 3.89
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Pygmalion features a witty and satirical commentary on the transformation of Eliza from a flower girl to high society. Through sharp and humorous dialogue, Shaw explores issues of language, gender, and class. This play would be a great read for those interested in social commentary and satire.
Dive into the World of Drama
At Thryft, our Drama collection showcases literature that unravels the complexities of human nature. We offer a curated selection of dramatic works from celebrated playwrights around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned dramatist or a curious newcomer, there's something here to ignite your passion for theatre. Discover the power of stories that reflect on the human condition and fuel the dialogue on society and self.
Consider starting with works like "Hamlet" by Shakespeare or "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. These timeless dramas provide deep insights into human nature and society.
Certainly! Explore our collection of Contemporary Fiction for modern plays that resonate with today's audiences.
Yes, we are proud to support local talent. Look out for plays by Singaporean playwrights which often reflect the unique cultural mix of the region.
While both delve into human experiences, Drama is typically structured as a play meant for performance. You can explore differences through our Literary Fiction section.
Absolutely, many drama books weave in philosophical questions about existence and morality. For more contemplative reading, check out our Philosophy collection.