Drama

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a story of star-crossed lovers who risk everything for their passion. In the city of Verona, a bitter feud between two families threatens to destroy the lives of the young Montague Romeo and his lover Juliet. As...

Antigone A Tragedy by Jean Anouilh Written in response to Sophocles' ancient Greek tragedy, Antigone explores a timeless theme of resistance and conviction. The story of Antigone's unwavering commitment to her brother's proper burial and her refusal to...

The Tempest is a masterpiece of magical effects, redemptive romance, poetry and politics. This beautifully bound edition, part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, features stunning illustrations by Sir John Gilbert and a new introduction by Simon...

This abridged version of Macbeth is a pacy and engaging adaptation of the classic play, ideal for classroom study and dramatic performance. Maintaining the coherence of the plot, it includes all the essential elements needed for a thorough understanding...

Sex with a Stranger is a bleak, funny and excruciatingly accurate portrayal of being in your twenties, lonely and uncertain. The play follows Adam's encounter with Grace in a club, and the events that unfold at her place. Stefan Golaszewski's work is a...

Eight short plays by women, selected for their thought-provoking portrayals of women's lives and experiences. Commissioned and developed as part of the Women Centre Stage Festival, these plays showcase the range and depth of women's writing for the stage...

A comedy of relationships and deception, How the Other Half Loves explores the complexities of domestic life through the eyes of three couples. The men all work for the same firm, and their personal lives become increasingly entangled as they concoct...

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Shakespeare's first comedy, explores the complexities of male friendship and love. A play built around the themes of identity and cross-dressing, it delves into the ideal of male friendship and its challenges when men fall in...

Plautus' Comoediae Volume II presents a collection of plays that showcase the Roman playwright's unique blend of comedy and satire. This volume includes Miles Gloriosus, Mostellaria, Persa, Poenulus, Pseudolus, Rudens, Stichus, Trinummus, Truculentus,...

Antony and Cleopatra, a complex and thought-provoking play, is presented in this new edition of The Arden Shakespeare Third Series. With thorough scholarship and a practical understanding of performance needs, John Wilders brings clarity, accessibility,...

Set against the backdrop of Jamaica's complex history with Britain, this stage adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel explores the interconnected lives of three individuals.In 1948, as the HMT Empire Windrush docks at Tilbury, three people from different...

Gavi wants to inspire his community, but it's not easy when everyone wants to stay at home. He starts hosting amateur motivational meetings from his garage, using daily mantras, goal-setting, and Spandau Ballet to try and change lives for the better...

A comprehensive collection of modern plays and monologues, Plays in One Act brings together the work of prominent playwrights and writers from around the world. Spanning multiple genres and styles, this anthology features 43 plays and monologues from...

Greg's admission that his girlfriend Steph is no beauty, but that he wouldn't change her for the world, sets off a chain of events that exposes the flaws in the societal obsession with physical appearance. Neil LaBute's latest play, Reasons to Be Pretty,...

Yonni's night is one of chaos, filled with moments both real and imagined. As he navigates the complexities of his world, he invites the audience into his space, where they encounter a kaleidoscope of experiences: school riots, first loves, beached...

Imagine being given just one hour to choose a single memory from your life. This is the central idea behind 100, a thought-provoking play by The Imaginary Body that combines traditional storytelling with physical theatre.With a simple yet powerful...

Jekyll & Hyde After R.L. Stevenson is a radical re-imagining of Robert Louis Stevenson's story, set in a thrilling collision of Victorian England and the here and now. Written for the National Youth Theatre, this play brings together civilised society...

The Book of Dust - La Belle Sauvage In a world where the stakes are high and the future hangs in the balance, two young people and their dæmons find themselves at the centre of a desperate manhunt. A tiny child, Lyra Belacqua, is in their care, and her...

Death of a Salesman is a powerful play that explores the destructive nature of false values in society. Written by Arthur Miller in 1949, it tells the tragic story of Willy Loman, a man whose life is shaped by the values of his society. Miller's work...

The Unfriend (West End Edition) by Steven Moffat When a chance encounter turns into a long-distance friendship, Peter and Debbie are drawn into a world of unexpected danger. Elsa, a widow from Denver, USA, has a way of making an impression, and her visit...

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into the complexities of conscience, madness, and the nature of humanity. When the young prince encounters his father's ghost, he is forced to confront the truth about his...

Seventeen-year-old Jack's life is on the verge of a perfect trajectory. His parents have devoted themselves to giving him every opportunity, and he is smart, outgoing, and on track to study Law at Durham University. However, a shocking incident outside...

Measure for Measure is a complex exploration of justice, mercy, and morality in a corrupt society. The play's strict moralistic deputy, Angelo, is given temporary power by the Duke, who disguises himself as a friar to witness the consequences of his...

Ravenhill Plays: 1 Shopping and F***ing; Faust is Dead; Handbag; Some Explicit PolaroidsA collection of four plays that showcase the darkly humorous and satirical style of Mark Ravenhill, a writer known for his intelligent and witty dialogue.From the...

Shakespeare's portrayal of the complexities of power and identity is on full display in Henry IV (Part One). The story follows Prince Hal, the son of King Henry IV, as he navigates the challenges of growing up and taking on his royal responsibilities.As...

Young Ernie's "illucinations" have been causing concern for his parents, who take him to see the doctor. As Ernie describes his experiences - soldiers invading his home, his auntie taking on a fairground boxer, and Dad rescuing a famous mountaineer in...

This winter, JM Barrie's beloved tale takes flight. Following a sell-out run at Bristol Old Vic, director Sally Cookson brings her inventive production of Peter Pan to the NT.Exploring the possibilities and pain of growing up, this riot of magic,...

A comprehensive guide to one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a must-have resource for students and scholars alike. This Oxford School Shakespeare edition features accessible notes, explanatory illustrations, and rigorous...

The Riot Club, a satirical play about power, politics and privilege, explores the interactions between these elements within British institutions. Set in a rural Oxford gastropub, the story follows ten young undergraduates from an elite student dining...

Shakespeare's Sonnets remain as vital and captivating today as they were when first published four hundred years ago. This collection of verse has captured the imagination of readers and lovers for centuries, and its meaning and interpretation continue...

A feel-good story from the industrial North of England in the early 1960s, this book follows a young man's journey to make a success of himself with the help of his friends. Despite facing setbacks and hardships, their determination and perseverance...

Verity, a young woman, was charged with damaging a chair by fire in a mental hospital where she was being treated. Her actions led to her being committed to Broadmoor, a maximum-security facility, where she remains under strict supervision. This novel...

A poignant and humorous play about the complexities of female relationships, Henna Night explores the intricate web of emotions and rivalries between two women. When a desperate message left on an answerphone sets off a chain of events, an unlikely...

Edward II Revised brings a fresh perspective to the tumultuous reign of the English king, exploring the consequences of transgressing societal norms. With a blend of humour, romance, and graphic violence, Christopher Marlowe's play challenges the...

Rory's dad was an explorer, not literally, but in his heart. When he dies suddenly, she knows she needs to make one last journey. With a plastic compass and his ashes in her backpack, she sets off to get him to the North Pole. This powerful coming-of-age...

Design for Living, a stylish and scandalous comedy, is a celebration of passion and mischief that remains striking to this day. Written by Noël Coward, this book explores themes of bisexuality, celebrity, success, and self-obsession in a love triangle...

The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a darkly comic tale of a woman's descent into horror. Set in the mountains of Connemara, it tells the story of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman, and her manipulative ageing mother, Mag, whose interference in...

Philip Ridley's The Storyteller Sequence is a collection of powerful one-act plays for young people. These performances are ideal for teenagers to watch or perform, exploring themes of identity, family, and memory. The plays delve into the complexities...

Lucy Prebble Plays 1: A Collection of Landmark Works This collection brings together three landmark plays by Lucy Prebble, showcasing her work from 2003 to 2019. The Sugar Syndrome, her George Devine Award-winning play, sets the tone for a series of...

Elmer Rice's plays have stood the test of time, bringing vitality and world attention to the American theatre. This collection of three plays, including "The Adding Machine", "Street Scene" and "Dream Girl", showcases Rice's mastery of the craft.A...

The Pygmalion, a play by George Bernard Shaw, is a witty exposure of the British class system. Shaw wrote the part of Eliza Doolittle for Mrs. Patrick Campbell, with whom he had a passionate but unconsummated affair. The play was a sensational success,...

David Mamet Plays: 2 "Reunion", "Dark Pony", "A Life in the Theatre", "The Woods", "Lakeboat", "Edmond" (Methuen World Classics) (Vol 2) This collection of plays by David Mamet showcases the playwright's unique voice and style. Reunion, Dark Pony, and...

The IT is a small, unassuming presence that grows inside a teenage girl. It expands, taking on a life of its own, and she must keep its existence a secret. As she withdraws from her friends and refuses to speak, she struggles to contain the growing sense...

Doctor Faustus is a play about a scholar who makes a deal with the Devil, trading his soul for knowledge and power. The deal comes with a price, however, and Faustus must keep his end of the bargain for the next 24 years.This edition of the play includes...

Caryl Churchill's play Love and Information is a complex and dynamic exploration of human connection and communication. The story unfolds in a series of fragmented and interconnected scenes, as a diverse cast of characters navigate the challenges of...

Julius Caesar Third Series by William Shakespeare A striking tragedy of political conflict, Julius Caesar explores the tumultuous rivalry between two men with differing visions for Rome. As the famous assassination of Julius Caesar by his republican...

Aphra Behn's The Rover and Other Plays brings together four of her most significant comedies in a single volume. This edition, newly edited and presented with modernized spelling and punctuation, showcases Behn's remarkable range and wit. The plays,...

Woe From Wit is a four-act comedy in verse that satirizes the social conventions of 19th-century Russia. Presented in a bilingual format, this edition features Griboyedov's masterpiece alongside English translations of the Russian text on facing pages...

A serious and adult play about two women who run a school for girls, "The Children's Hour" is a thought-provoking drama by Lillian Hellman. The story revolves around a malicious youngster who starts a rumor about the two women, leading to a chain of...

Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer and Other Plays is a collection of three dramatic works that explore the darker aspects of human nature. The stark and unsettling story of Catherine's descent into madness following her cousin's tragic death is...

Improve your A-Level and Undergraduate English essay writing with this comprehensive guide to William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.Get the most out of your study and revision with clear notes on characters, themes, language techniques, and critical context,...

Tango at the End of Winter is a poignant drama about a middle-aged actor struggling to come to terms with growing old. His wife arranges a fake love affair to revive his acting genius, but he retreats into a world of fantasy and memories of his youth. As...

The Lady in the Van: The Complete Edition by Alan BennettThis is the complete edition of Alan Bennett's acclaimed story, adapted into a major motion picture starring Maggie Smith. The screenplay, which brings Bennett's true story to the stage, offers a...

Hedda, a play by Henrik Ibsen, tells the story of a woman trapped by her past and terrified of her future. After a troubled marriage and an unwanted pregnancy, she finds herself caught between three men. As the situation becomes increasingly unbearable,...

First performed around 1600, Hamlet is 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 play's complex and divided...

Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece, Macbeth, is a cornerstone of literary study. This new edition offers in-depth commentary and analysis, providing a rich understanding of the play's themes and historical context.With detailed on-page notes and an...

Tom Stoppard's Plays One is a collection of works that showcase the playwright's unique blend of wit and depth. Spanning a range of styles, these plays demonstrate Stoppard's versatility as a dramatist.

Fear and Misery in the Third Reich by Bertolt Brecht This collection of twenty-four interconnected playlets explores the ordinary lives of German citizens in the 1930s, as the power of Hitler grew. With clinical precision, Brecht dramatizes the suspicion...

4.48 Psychosis is a powerful and deeply personal work, written by Sarah Kane during a period of intense struggle with depression. The piece is presented as a poem, with no characters or narrative voice, leaving the reader to interpret its meaning.First...

The Encounter is a solo performance that weaves together fact and fiction to create a meditation on interconnectedness, perception and time. In 1969, Loren McIntyre, a National Geographic photographer, found himself lost in the remote Javari Valley in...

Learn the entire works of William Shakespeare in this comprehensive overview guide. The Shakespeare Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic, tackling tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy-to-follow format. With eye-catching graphics and...

Yerma by Federico García Lorca and Simon Stone In a world where desire can become an unrelenting force, a woman's longing for a child drives her to the unthinkable. This radical new version of Lorca's tragedy of yearning and loss premiered at the Young...

A Tale Of Two Cities A Play by Charles Dickens In the midst of the Reign of Terror, two Londoners are forced to confront impossible choices. Charles Darnay must decide whether to abandon his family and brave the revolutionary storm to protect an innocent...

Discover the complexities of one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters, King Richard III, in this authoritative edition of the play.James R Siemon's insightful analysis explores the enduring appeal of Richard III, from his beguiling and often humorous...

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov A visit to a remote estate throws the residents' unfulfilled ambitions into sharp relief. A successful actress's arrival sparks a sense of restlessness among the community, as her son attempts to impress with a self-penned...

The Cherry Orchard is a poignant play by Anton Chekhov, written in 1903 and widely regarded as one of his greatest dramatic accomplishments. Set against the backdrop of Russia's social and financial upheaval at the turn of the 20th Century, the story...

State of the Nation: British Theatre since 1945 offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of theatre in post-war Britain, from the optimism of the Attlee years to the satire boom of the Sixties and the growth of political theatre under Tony Blair...

A tense truce holds between the Capulets and the Montagues after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio, Romeo's best friend, is in love with Rosaline, Juliet's cousin, but Rosaline is bent on revenge. This play explores the aftermath of the tragic...

The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde offers a comprehensive introduction to the life and work of one of the theatre's most important and enigmatic writers. This volume provides a detailed analysis of Wilde's plays, poetry, and other writings, as well...

Get a deeper understanding of J.B. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' with this student-friendly guide from the Oxford Literature Companions series.This book provides lively analysis of the play, covering characters, themes, language, and contexts, as well...

A small pub in Oldham is the unlikely setting for a local celebrity, Harry, who is the second-best hangman in England. But on the day hanging is abolished, Harry's world is turned upside down. A peculiar stranger visits, with motives that are far from...

The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning A play that explores the complex issues surrounding the Wikileaks scandal, this drama delves into the themes of political radicalisation and its impact on individuals and society. Through a thought-provoking...

At 16, Jamie New's life is a mix of uncertainty and possibility. Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by friends, he faces prejudice and bullies, but also finds the courage to step out of the darkness and into the spotlight.With the help of his...

References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot is a surreal romance that explores the complexities of love, lust, and longing. In this captivating tale, a young housewife's life is transformed by her husband's prolonged absences, as she conjures up a...

A psychiatrist is summoned to a convent to assess the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn. Dr. Martha Livingstone's investigation is complicated by the Mother Superior's determination to keep the young woman, Agnes, from her. As...

Aeschylus' The Persians is a powerful exploration of the consequences of tyranny, told from the perspective of the Persian court. The play depicts the final defeat of Persia in the battle of Salamis, raising questions about the nature of power and its...

A Doll's House and Other Plays by Henrik Ibsen Four of Ibsen's most important plays, superbly translated and presented in the Penguin Ibsen series. These plays showcase the author's radical exploration of human relationships, societal tensions, and...

Shakespeare's tragic drama of love and loss, Antony and Cleopatra, is a devastating tale of passion and power. The story revolves around Antony, a battle-hardened soldier, and his all-consuming passion for the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. As their life of...

Terry Dumpton, nicknamed Humpty Dumpty, faces a terrible fate at the hands of his tormentor, Stubbs. To avoid his bullies, Terry resorts to truancy, but is eventually forced to confront the consequences of his actions. This tragic story explores the...

The Play That Goes Wrong is a farcical murder mystery, a play within a play, that follows the misadventures of a drama society as they attempt to stage a 1920s production. Despite their best efforts, hilarious disaster ensues, and the cast struggles to...

The Donahue Sisters A Play for Women by Geraldine Aron In this thought-provoking drama, two sisters reunite in the attic of their family home, where they engage in a sinister play that reenacts a violent incident from their childhood. As they speak and...

Joey, a young horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France at the outbreak of World War one. His extraordinary journey takes him through enemy fire, where he serves on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. A treacherous mission...

William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is a witty and engaging comedy that explores the complexities of relationships and the nature of love. The story revolves around Katherina, a strong-willed woman who has vowed never to accept a suitor, and...

Barber Shop Chronicles is a heart-warming and insightful play that explores the world through the conversations of African men in barber shops. The story leaps from one location to another, tracing the connections between people across the continent over...

William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale is a complex exploration of jealousy and desire, marked by both turbulent emotional turmoil and light-hearted comedy. The play follows the story of Leontes, a king consumed by jealousy, and his subsequent downfall...

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a masterful blend of the supernatural and the mundane, where love is treated as both tragic and farcical. Edited, Introduced and Annotated by Cedric Watts, this annotated edition of Shakespeare's work presents a newly-edited...

William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy that has sparked controversy and debate for centuries. The central relationship between Petruchio and Kate has been treated in diverse ways on stage and screen, with Kate's apparent capitulation...

The Trojan Women and Other Plays by Euripides Euripides' three great war plays, collected in this volume, subject the survivors of Troy to a harrowing examination of their suffering. The horrific brutality inflicted on women and children evokes a...

The King Richard II edition offers a fresh perspective on Shakespeare's second tetralogy of history plays, exploring the play's relationship to the other works in the sequence. The richly annotated edition places the play in its political context,...

Romeo and Juliet is a story of passion and hatred, bawdy comedy and high tragedy. Set against a backdrop of feuds and gang warfare, this dazzling combination of emotions explores the destructive nature of hatred and the redemptive power of love.Part of...

Alem's life is turned upside down when his father disappears, leaving behind a note that explains he wants to protect him from the war in Ethiopia. Stranded in England, Alem must navigate the complexities of the social services and the Refugee Council,...

Four seminal tragedies by the master Greek dramatist Sophocles are collected in this volume, featuring newly translated works. The plays explore themes of grief, power, and the human condition. Electra portrays the intense emotions of a young woman for...

Witness for the Prosecution: Play (Acting Edition S.) A gripping drama of deception and betrayal, Witness for the Prosecution is a suspenseful thriller that keeps audiences guessing until the very end. A young man stands accused of murder, with shocking...

This revised edition of Othello features a new introduction by leading American scholar Ayanna Thompson, offering a fresh perspective on the play's complex themes and historical context. Thompson's introduction explores the play's different meanings...

Alan Bennett's A Life Like Other People's is a poignant family memoir that explores the complexities of his parents' marriage and his own formative years. The book is a deeply personal account of his mother's struggles with depression and dementia, as...

The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare that has been a cornerstone of theatre and academic study for centuries. This revised edition brings the Arden Third series edition up-to-date, with a new introduction that explores recent scholarship on...

Coriolanus, one of Shakespeare's last tragedies, explores the complexities of power, politics and the human condition. The play tells the story of a proud and ambitious general, who, driven by his own sense of justice, becomes increasingly isolated from...

Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy of mistaken identity, where a young woman disguises herself as a man to serve a duke. She becomes embroiled in a complicated love triangle, with unexpected consequences. This edition features beautiful illustrations and...

King Lear is a powerful tragedy that explores the complexities of love, hate, loyalty, and treachery. Edited and introduced by Cedric Watts, this revised edition of Shakespeare's play provides a comprehensive and integrated text, taking account of recent...

Federico García Lorca's Blood Wedding, Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba are three of his most famous plays, translated into English and introduced by Jo Clifford. These passionate, lyrical tales of longing and revenge explore the rural poor of 1930s...