Shakespeare Globe Trust
Fact Sheet: Writing Plays
Who were some of the popular playwrights of Elizabethan England? Using the provided fact sheets, scholars research playwrights, explore three different types of plays, and learn about censorship in Elizabethan England.
Curated OER
Welcome to Renaissance England
Prepare your seventh through ninth graders for their first Shakespearean experience. This slide show provides a series of vocabulary words in context and a brief history of one of the world's most prolific playwrites, William...
Curated OER
The Shakespeare Crowd
Learners study the life and times of Shakespeare. They read and analyze one of his plays and use the Internet and videos to gain an understanding of how Shakespeare engaged his audiences, then and still today.
Curated OER
Tennessee Williams: Exploring the American Dream
Students read and analyze selections of Tennessee Williams' work. They write journal responses, conduct Internet research, perform various scenes from one of Williams' dramas, and create a presentation.
Curated OER
Little Stories - Women in the 36th Parliament
Students develop visual literacy skills. They evaluate, organize and communicate information.
New York Times
New York Times: Harold Pinter
[Free Registration/Login Required] The New York Times offers a collection of resources about famous British playwright, Harold Painter, who died in December 2008. Content includes: photos, theater and movie reviews, film, TV and Broadway...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Literature: Collection Items
Discover a wealth of original sources from 20th-century literature, including manuscripts, first editions, newspapers, diaries, letters, photographs, and maps.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century: 20th Century Theatre
Find close readings, critical interpretations, and personal responses to the works of key 20th-century playwrights and practitioners, including Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Shelagh Delaney, and Timberlake Wertenbaker.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
"Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" is a play by Trinidadian actor, playwright, and director Errol John. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: The Homecoming
Premiering in 1965, Harold Pinter's two-act play "The Homecoming" is one of the playwright's most unnerving works. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles and manuscripts.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: An Introduction to 18th Century British Theatre
This article charts the growth of 18th-century theatre, looking at the new venues, stage technology, audiences, playwrights, and great actors of the age.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: John Webster
Familiarize yourself with the life and works of the playwright John Webster. This source contains a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to related articles, collection items, and works.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Ben Jonson
Familiarize yourself with the life and works of the poet and playwright Ben Jonson. This source contains a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to related articles, collection items, and works.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: An Introduction to "She Stoops to Conquer"
Oliver Goldsmith published several critiques of audiences and playwrights before writing a laughing comedy that was the triumph of its season and that continues to be performed today. This article introduces "She Stoops to Conquer",...
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: The Importance of Being Earnest (Guide)
This site presents a study guide to Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest." Content includes a biography of the author, background information about the play, a synopsis, occuring themes, some sample questions, and more....
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: Oscar Wilde Importance of Being Earnest
This website presents the full text of Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg: Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson's play is offered here in multiple digital formats. It includes a substantial introduction offering background on the play and its author.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Aphra Behn (1640 1689)
Best known as a dramatist in the late seventeeth century, this site highlights the poetry of Aphra Behn and gives a detailed description of her life and influence. Includes bibliography and links to full text of many of her poems.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
This is the full text of the three-act play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde including a list of characters and scenes.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: The Black Jacobins
C.L.R. James explores the subject of the Haitian Revolution in the play "The Black Jacobins". Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: Our Country's Good
Read an overview of the play "Our Country's Good" by Timberlake Wertenbaker and view additional resources such as articles, collection items, and teacher resources.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: Oh What a Lovely War
Read an overview of the play "Oh What a Lovely War" directed by Joan Littlewood and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: East Is East
Ayub Khan Din based his debut play "East Is East" on his own childhood in Salford. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: Loot
Read an overview of the play "Loot" by Joe Orton and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.