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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. William Shakespeare is peerless in any age, but from this age I have chosen the Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter, Sir Tom Stoppard OM and Samuel Beckett.  I should really like to include Alan Bennett, and I will if I get the time. The Globe 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 Whatsonstage.com   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.         Home|Gaynor|Mike|Art|Theatre|Book Shop Updated 14th April 2009