Plays

Sometimes a play sticks around because it’s genuinely brilliant. Other times, it’s just managed to hang on out of habit. Either way, classic plays are the ones that get brought up again and again – in classrooms, on stages, and in late-night theatre debates. But what actually makes a play classic? Is it how long…

Some plays dazzle you. Others sit with you quietly and change the way you think. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime does the second one. It’s not a play that shouts for attention, but it’s impossible to ignore once you’ve seen it. It draws you in with simple honesty, sharp observation, and…

I watched All About Eve on National Theatre at Home recently, and I can’t stop thinking about it. There’s something really satisfying about a story that digs into ambition, ego and performance without making it too dramatic. Gillian Anderson was brilliant as Margot Channing – not just mimicking Bette Davis, but building something quieter, steelier,…

Few contemporary playwrights have captured the imagination and soul of British theatre quite like Jez Butterworth. Known for his poetic dialogue, mythological depth, and razor-sharp social commentary, Butterworth has carved a singular space in both stage and screenwriting. His work spans gritty gangster dramas and sweeping political epics, blending English folklore with raw realism. Whether…

“Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner” is a provocative and unforgettable contemporary play that slices through internet culture, race, and capitalism with wit, anger, and urgency. Written by Jasmine Lee-Jones, this bold piece of Black British theatre takes its title from a viral tweet that kickstarts a digital rebellion. Far from a literal threat, the…

Why do we laugh at the unthinkable? Dark comedy plays occupy that strange, shadowy corner of theatre where tragedy and humour collide. They make us laugh at murder, dysfunction, and despair—and somehow, we leave the theatre thinking more deeply about the world than when we walked in. Think of the brutal absurdity of The Lieutenant…

Contemporary plays are everywhere—from fringe theatres and independent stages to West End transfers, Tony-winning productions, and Netflix adaptations. The landscape of live performance has shifted rapidly over the past few decades, reflecting the dynamic, often chaotic spirit of the world we live in. But what are contemporary plays, and how is contemporary defined in theatre?…