|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Introduction
|
A selection claiming to include "the best" in any field will inevitably be the cause of argument. A choice
of playwrights is certainly not an exception to this rule.
Here I offer thoughts and information about some of the leading creators of theatrical drama in English.
is peerless in any age, but from this age I have chosen
the Nobel Laureate ,
and
.
I should really like to include Alan Bennett, and I will if
I get the time.
playhouse was not the first theatre in London, but because it was the first
setting for many of the gems in Shakespeare's crown, "this Wooden O"
is a fascinating subject to me and many others. In 1997 a replica
was built on London's Bankside close to the site of the
original, and
the new
Shakespeare's Globe has become a fresh exciting context in which to
see the plays.
Mike hopes to see the three Shakespeare productions this
summer of 2009 and has
previewed them. The
season is called 'Young Hearts' and Mike is booked to see
the first production 'Romeo and Juliet' directed by Globe
artistic director Dominic Dromgoole. |
| |
|
News |
|
I was saddened to hear of Harold Pinter's death on
Christmas Day 2008.
Sadly Simon Gray another leading British playwright of
the last 40 years died on 7th August 2008. I /we
enjoyed many of his plays from Butley in
1971 to Old Masters in 2004.
Quartermaine's Terms in 1981 was a favourite for
Gaynor and myself and was a great success. Leading
parts for Edward Fox, Robin Bailey and Sir John Geilgud
contributed to that success but a recent revival
confirmed its reputation. |
|
|
|
Background
|
Theatre was not invented in England, but during the latter half of the 16th century, while the first Elizabeth
was on the throne, modern theatre suddenly blossomed in England, changing over a few decades from crude Mediaeval
mystery plays on roving pageant wagons, to sophisticated human-scale dramas in permanent playhouses. A major contribution
to this revolution was the emergence of a new breed of playwright including Marlowe, Jonson, and Shakespeare. People
flocked to the new playhouses to be amused, moved to tears, terrified or shocked; made to sigh at lovers, jeer
at villains, or cheer on heroes. Best of all were the plays that encouraged their audiences to identify with the
characters on stage; to recognise themselves or someone they knew, and make them consider their own lives and actions
in the context of these fictions.
Four hundred years later
playgoers are still looking for the same rewards
from theatre, because human nature does not change. The best playwrights of the latter half of
the 20th century
and start of the 21st challenge us to examine our own lives
evoking humour, shock and all our emotions to stimulate us into thinking about
what it is to be human.
|
|
| |
|
Links
|
|
Internal
|
|
| |
|
External
|
|
|
| |
This is my favourite theatre web site. We live fairly close to London, and as well as
being a comprehensive guide to London theatre, this site
provides unique offers to see plays of all sorts in the capital,
often at a discount. Terri Paddick,
Editorial Director of the site arranges
special block bookings at leading theatres
at low prices, usually with the bonus of
meeting members of the company and
production team afterwards in a question and
answer session. |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|||||
|
|

Updated 14th
April 2009
|
|