Top English Dramas I Love

 

The theater is the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. 

                                                                                        - Oscar Wilde

 

Just as much as I love novels and poetry, plays hold an important part in my heart, mind and soul, as long as it is well written (which is subjective) and has good content of course. 

From my undergraduate days, I have been exposed to several great plays, some of which have secured a place in my favourites. Several of the plays mentioned below were introduced to me through the syllabus for my graduation, and currently, master's in English. I have been exposed to canonical dramas, right from the times of ancient Greece to the contemporary post-postmodernist world. 

Sometimes I would discover great plays through social media or reading apps like Goodreads or Fable. Or else, read other plays of a playwright I have already read as part of the syllabus. Currently, I am trying to get my hands on all (translated) plays of Vijay Tendulkar, Girish Karnad and Mahesh Dattani. Partial towards Indian playwrights, I know 🤭. One-act plays are even a greater delight, as a playwright manages to convey a message within a shorter text. 

Along with reading plays, I am looking to even see plays staged (as they were initially intended to) as much as I can.

So without any further due, let's dive right in.

My Top Favorite English Plays: A Must-Read List for Drama Lovers.

1. Silence! The Court is in Session by Vijay Tendulkar - 

The play revolves around the life of Ms. Leela Benare, who is a grey character as well as a survivor. The play within the play brings out ugly truths and rumours, putting her job and life at risk. The writing hooks you from the start and Ms Leela Benare is among the leading Indian feminist characters in the Indian theatre. 

2. Broken Images by Girish Karnad- 

This one-act play centres on Manjula, a Kannada writer who turns into a commercially successful English writer. The drama delves into the themes of identity, language & culture, and the complexity of human relationships. As she faces the fragment of her own psyche in the form of a delusional image, the truths come out. 

3. Dance Like a Man by Mahesh Dattani- 

Focusing on the classic dancers, Jairaj and Ratna, the play illustrates the themes of societal norms & gender roles, ambition, marriage & family, and how men are victims of the patriarchal system that essentially benefits them. It mirrors the Hindi statement "aurat hi aurat ki dushman hoti hai" as men can bring each other down too. The unusual title puts the seed of intrigue in the readers or spectators. Mahesh Dattani, one of the famous English playwrights from India, has truly crafted a masterpiece with this play, resonating with Indian and South Asian audiences. 

 

4. They That Sit in Darkness by Mary Burrill - 

Another one-act play, merely 8-10 pages, surrounding a poor African-American family and their struggles from finances, and racism, to the control of government and religion (Christianity in U. S. A). After a century, the play gets more relevant than ever as haughty, privileged cis-het White men in political position try to control the bodies of women by banning abortion rights and taking away women's basic reproductive rights as long as it benefits them. Well, not to forget racism, which can be extended to the gun violence in the "first world country." It is written in pidgin English spoken by African -Americans during the 1920s, so it may take a bit of time to comprehend several words, but it is a great read. In my opinion, the play makes it to top English dramas.

5. The Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton - 

I read this short play in my 10th standard and it still occupies a rent-free space in my head. The playwright masterfully intertwines humour and satire with serious themes of shallow familial relationships, materialism and death. Two adult daughters negotiate their inheritance as soon as one discovers their father has passed away. The play reflected the financial tussles between siblings over inheritance, fracturing the bond between them, which we see in every other family around us. 

6. Medea by Euripides-

A revenge play set in ancient Greece as the titular character, Medea, who is a sorceress, hatches a plan to avenge her husband's cheating. Though I do not agree with everything she does, her character is unforgettable. The play depicted how a woman can turn someone's life upside down if she does come down to avenge the wrongdoing. This was written at a time and place where female leads weren't as common, probably giving heart palpitations to the spectators then. Safe to say, this play gave way to other women-driven revenge movies like Bulbbul, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, NH 10, Darlings, etc.  

7. Sakharam Binder by Vijay Tendulkar- 

Another play by the Angry Young Man of Marathi Theatre, the play revolves around the titular character Sakharam, who brings in destitute women into his home over a verbal contract basis, which essentially benefits him. The grey, multi-layered characters engage you in the play. Women in the play are much more powerful than they are given credit for. The play explores identity (and can it be truly changed under influence?), feminism, and relationships. Excessive violence was the only thing that put me off and can be triggering, so in my opinion, it is better to complete the play in 1 sitting. The play made it to my top reads of 2024. 

 

Plays have a way of holding a mirror to society, unravelling human emotions, and questioning norms in a way few other art forms can. Each play in this list has carved a special place in my mind and heart—whether through powerful characters, engaging narratives, or the sheer brilliance of their themes. As I continue exploring more playwrights and their works, the magic of theater only deepens, reminding me why I fell in love with this art form in the first place.

Now go use these plays as your recommendations for the dramas, either to read or watch (if you can find the Youtube videos of performances of these plays).

Share your favourite plays in the comment, which I can use as recommendations too.

Happy reading or watching!

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