This revised Student Edition includes an introduction by Bess Rowen, Visiting Assistant Professor at Villanova University, US, which looks in particular at the play's treatment of rape, vulnerable people, mental institutions (especially in connection to Williams's own family), sexuality and sexual desire. A Streetcar Named Desire shows a turbulent confrontation between traditional values in the American South - an old-world graciousness and beauty running decoratively to seed - set against the rough-edged, aggressive materialism of the new world. Through the vividly characterised figures of Southern belle Blanche Dubois, seeking refuge from physical ugliness in decayed gentility, and her brutal brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, Tennessee Williams dramatises his sense of the South's past as still active and often destructive in modern America. METHUEN DRAMA STUDENT EDITIONS are expertly annotated texts of a wide range of plays from the modern and classic repertoires. A well as the complete text of the play itself, this volume contains: * A chronology of the play and the playwright's life and work * An introductory discussion of the social, political, cultural and economic context in which the play was originally conceived and created * A succinct overview of the creation processes followed and subsequent performance history of the piece * An analysis of, and commentary on, some of the major themes and specific issues addressed by the text * A bibliography of suggested primary and secondary materials for further study

Niru is a young Bengali woman married to an English colonial bureaucrat - Tom. Tom loves Niru, exoticising her as a frivolous plaything to be admired and kept; but Niru has a long-kept secret, and just as she thinks she is almost free of it, it threatens to bring her life crashing down around her. Tanika Gupta reimagines Ibsen's classic play of gender politics through the lens of British colonialism, offering a bold, female perspective exploring themes of ownership and race.

Anthony Neilson is often described as one of the most exciting and challenging voices in contemporary British theatre. For over two decades he has acquired a reputation for innovation and experimentation in both writing and directing having worked with companies such as The Royal Court, The RSC and the National Theatre. This third play collection of his most recent major works brings together five plays in publication for the first time, offering an important documentary of his original work since 2008. Relocated (2008) originally premiered at the Royal Court, directed by the author, where it was described as a "sinister mystery" play and "not an experience for the faint-hearted...morally challenging and riveting...leaves an indelible stain on the memory" (The Times). Get Santa! (2010) is a magical, musical and mischievous Christmas show with a fresh moral featuring music by Nick Powell. It's Christmas Eve but Holly isn't happy. All she's ever wanted from Santa is to meet her real Dad for the first time. And every time, Santa's failed to deliver, bringing lots of useless presents instead. Well, Holly's had enough. This year she has a plan. She's going to wait up and trap Santa when he arrives and get from him the only present she's ever wanted. Narrative (2013) originally premiered at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. Devised throughout rehearsal with a seven-strong cast it's a play about storytelling and the narratives of our everyday lives. Unreachable (2016) was described as an "intoxicatingly chaotic comedy" (Time Out) which follows a film director on an obsessive quest to capture the perfect light. Originally running at the Royal Court Theatre in a production that starred Matt Smith, it broke boundaries by offering audiences a digital insight into the rehearsal process through online content which documented and shaped the devising process. The Prudes (2018) is a comedy about relationships in the current sexual climate; and a vicious satire on the male response to it. Jess and Jimmy haven't done it in a year. Fourteen months and four days to be exact. It's definitely not the seven year itch - they've been together nine. Now they're coming together in a last-ditch effort to re-boot their sex life and save their relationship. But a lot has changed in a year; for them and for the world. Described as a "smart, sketchy, amusing, awkward, stimulating two-hander" (The Times), it originally premiered at the Royal Court Upstairs. Published to coincide with his adaptation of The Tell-Tale Heart at the National Theatre in December 2018, this play collection is an important and unique anthology of a major international voice of contemporary theatre.

Australia 1789. A young married lieutenant is directing rehearsals of the first play ever to be staged in that country. With only two copies of the text, a cast of convicts, and one leading lady who may be about to be hanged, conditions are hardly ideal... Winner of the Laurence Olivier Play of the Year Award in 1988, and many other major awards, Our Country's Good premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 1988 and opened on Broadway in 1991. 'Rarely has the redemptive, transcendental power of theatre been argued with such eloquence and passion.' Georgina Brown, Independent It is published here in a new Student Edition, alongside commentary and notes by Sophie Bush. The commentary includes a chronology of the play and the playwright's life and work as well as discussion of the social, political, cultural and economic context in which the play was originally conceived and created.

Vyfmylpaal bevat vyf van Deon Opperman se suksesvolste Afrikaanse dramas: "Boesman, my seun", "Magspel", "Donkerland", "Stille nag" en "More is ’n lang dag". Hoewel die laaste drie reeds vroeer gepubliseer is (in 1996, 1990 en 1986 onderskeidelik), is dit die eerste keer dat "Boesman, my seun" en "Magspel" in drukvorm verskyn. Deon Opperman, reeds sedert 1984 aktief in die bedryf, is een van die produktiefste dramaturge in Suid-Afrika, met meer as 40 verhoogstukke op sy kerfstok. 'n Eugene Marais-prys en 'n Hertzogprys-benoeming is maar twee van die vele veertjies in sy hoed. Hy is ook die stigter van AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture and Live Performance).

Hairdresser Rita feels that life is passing her by. She wants an education. But does Frank have anything to teach her? Willy Russell's play gives a hilarious - and often moving - account of a young woman's determination to change her life.

A study edition of Twelfth Night, featuring facing notes, activities, text graded by importance and illustrations.

An evocative, heart-warming story of unfulfi lled dreams and unrequited love. Based on the hit film screenplay by Charles Dance starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, and on the original short story by William J. Locke, Ladies In Lavender tells the tale of two sisters Ursula and Janet who live in a close-knit fishing village in picturesque Cornwall, in 1936. When a handsome and talented young Polish violinist bound for America is washed ashore, the Widdington sisters take him under their wing and nurse him back to health. However, the presence of the mysterious young man disrupts their peaceful lives and the community in which they live.

Jill Hyem, original writer of TV series HOWARD'S WAY, WISH ME LUCK, THE HOUSE OF ELLIOT and co-writer of the well-remembered TENKO, who returns to her theatre roots with this magical story set in the world's most romantic city. Three women of a certain age gravitate to Paris. There's Nancy, a retired headmistress determined to throw off her shackles. Anna, recently widowed - and free - after years of nursing a sick husband. And Raquel, a divorcee in search of eternal youth and a new toy boy. A feel-good play with laughter and tears, the promise of romance, lovely love and not-so-lovely anger, friendship and loyalty, and the advantages of growing old. Perhaps not La Vie en Rose but certainly a night to leave you charmed, amused, thoughtful - and smiling.