Secondhand Plays & Drama Bargain Book Box SP2429

Secondhand Plays & Drama Bargain Book Box

Curate a library of theatrical masterpieces with this diverse collection of twenty-one secondhand plays. Spanning from ancient Greek tragedy to modern Australian satire and the absurdism of Beckett, this box is a treasure trove for actors, students, and lovers of the stage. Whether you are looking for the intense drama of Arthur Miller, the sharp wit of David Williamson, or the experimental works of Jean Genet, this selection covers a wide range of styles and eras. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Accolade by Emlyn Williams This gripping 1950 play tells the story of Will Trenting, a celebrated novelist on the verge of receiving a knighthood. However, his secret life of debauchery in London's seedier districts threatens to be exposed, putting his family and reputation at risk. It is a tense exploration of the divide between public success and private morality.

2. The Crucible by Arthur Miller Set during the Salem witch trials of 1692, this classic play is a searing indictment of mass hysteria and political persecution. When a group of young girls accuses their neighbors of witchcraft, the town descends into paranoia and betrayal. Miller wrote it as an allegory for McCarthyism, but its themes of truth, reputation, and integrity remain timeless.

3. The Removalists by David Williamson A landmark of Australian theatre, this play exposes the dark underbelly of authority and toxic masculinity. It follows two police officers—one a veteran, the other a rookie—who become involved in a domestic dispute that escalates into violence. It is a confronting and satirical look at police brutality and the Australian social landscape of the 1970s.

4. Woyzeck by Georg Büchner Left unfinished at the author's death, this fragmented masterpiece tells the tragic story of a lowly soldier driven to madness by jealousy and medical experimentation. It is considered one of the first "modern" plays, influencing the expressionist movement with its raw emotion and social critique. The narrative follows Woyzeck's descent as he is dehumanized by his superiors.

5. Three Plays on Justice by Ugo Betti This volume collects three works (Landslide, Struggle Till Dawn, The Fugitive) by the Italian playwright and judge Ugo Betti. His plays often grapple with themes of guilt, responsibility, and the search for divine or human justice. They are intellectual and intense dramas that explore the moral complexities of the legal and spiritual worlds.

6. The Club by David Williamson Set in the boardroom of a struggling Australian Rules football club, this satire skewers the backroom politics and power struggles of professional sport. As tradition clashes with commercialism, the committee members scheme and backstab to get their way. It is a hilarious and sharp observation of male ego and institutional rivalry.

7. The Theban Plays by Sophocles This collection features the three great tragedies of the Oedipus cycle: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. They follow the cursed lineage of the King of Thebes, exploring the inevitability of fate and the conflict between human law and divine will. These plays are the cornerstones of Western drama, featuring some of literature's most iconic characters.

8. The Joker of Seville & O Babylon! by Derek Walcott Nobel laureate Derek Walcott adapts the classic Don Juan legend in The Joker of Seville, infusing it with Caribbean rhythm and folklore. O Babylon! is a musical play set among a Rastafarian community in Jamaica facing displacement. Both works showcase Walcott’s poetic genius and his ability to blend European tradition with West Indian culture.

9. Journey's End by R. C. Sherriff Set in a dugout in the British trenches during World War I, this play depicts the psychological toll of warfare on a group of officers waiting for a German attack. It captures the tension, fear, and camaraderie of men facing almost certain death. It remains one of the most powerful and authentic dramas about the Great War.

10. Saturday Sunday Monday by Eduardo de Filippo This warm and lively Italian comedy centers on a Neapolitan family preparing for their traditional Sunday ragù. As three generations gather, simmering resentments and jealousies boil over, threatening to ruin the weekend. It is a charming and observant portrait of family life, love, and the importance of a good meal.

11. Savoury Meringue by James Saunders James Saunders was known for his experimental and often absurdist approach to theatre. Savoury Meringue and the other short plays likely included in this volume play with language and logic to challenge the audience's expectations. It offers a glimpse into the avant-garde theatre scene of the mid-20th century.

12. Damaged Goods by Eugene Brieux Originally banned/censored in many places, this controversial play deals openly with the subject of syphilis and its transmission. It tells the story of a young man who contracts the disease and, despite medical advice, marries and passes it to his child. It was written as a "social thesis" play to break the silence surrounding sexually transmitted infections.

13. The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs by David Edgar Adapted from the memoir of anti-apartheid activist Albie Sachs, this play recounts his 168 days in solitary confinement in South Africa. It is a psychological study of resilience and the human need for connection in the face of isolation. The drama highlights the cruelty of the apartheid regime and the strength of the human spirit.

14. An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen Dr. Stockmann discovers that the thermal baths—the economic heart of his town—are contaminated, but his attempt to publish the truth makes him a pariah. The town's leaders and citizens turn against him to protect their profits, branding him an enemy of the people. Ibsen's powerful drama explores the cost of integrity and the tyranny of the majority.

15. The Balcony by Jean Genet Set in a high-class brothel while a revolution rages outside, this play sees clients enacting their fantasies of power by dressing as bishops, judges, and generals. As the revolution crumbles, the patrons are forced to assume the real roles of the figures they impersonated. It is a surreal and provocative examination of the nature of power and illusion.

16. The Pregnant Pause or Love's Labor Lost by Georges Feydeau The master of French farce, Georges Feydeau, delivers a frantic comedy about the chaos of impending fatherhood. It is filled with slamming doors, misunderstandings, and the rapid-fire dialogue typical of the genre. The play creates a whirlwind of comic situations centered on domestic absurdities.

17. Stevie by Hugh Whitemore This biographical play invites the audience into the suburban living room of the poet Stevie Smith. It blends her witty and often dark poetry with scenes from her quiet life with her "Lion Aunt," revealing the sharp mind behind the eccentric persona. It is a touching and intimate portrait of a unique literary voice.

18. Old Times by Harold Pinter A married couple, Deeley and Kate, are visited by Kate's old friend Anna, launching a subtle battle for possession of the past. As they reminisce, memories become weapons, and it becomes unclear whose version of history is true. Pinter creates an atmosphere of menace and ambiguity in this classic study of memory and desire.

19. The Power of the Dog by Howard Barker This dense and complex play is set in the ruins of Europe at the end of World War II, featuring a model, a photographer, and Stalin himself. Barker explores the relationship between history, ideology, and the individual in his signature "Theatre of Catastrophe" style. It is a challenging work that questions the nature of political power.

20. Endgame by Samuel Beckett Hamm, blind and unable to stand, and Clov, his servant who cannot sit, are trapped in a room in a post-apocalyptic world. They play out a repetitive and circular existence, waiting for an end that may never come. Beckett’s existential masterpiece is filled with bleak humor and profound questions about the meaning of life.

21. New English Dramatists 7 (Penguin Plays) This anthology captures a snapshot of British theatre in the 1960s, featuring three distinct plays. It includes Arnold Wesker's Chips with Everything (a critique of the class system in the RAF), David Rudkin's Afore Night Come (a dark rural tragedy), and Giles Cooper's Everything in the Garden (a satire of suburban materialism). It is a perfect introduction to the "Kitchen Sink" era of drama.