When I went to graduate school way back in the dark ages I remember that we needed to read the best plays of the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s etc before we started classes. I remember distinctly that there were very few plays written by women in those books and actually also remember saying something about it on my first day.
While I haven’t kept track of the recent editions to the best plays series, I got a release for the best plays of 2008-2009 and was happy to read that half the plays included are by women.
Here is the list:
Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo
Blasted by Sarah Kane
God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson
Ruined by Lynn Nottage
The plays were picked by editor Jeffrey Eric Jenkins after consulting with an editorial board consisting of the following individuals: Misha Berson, Christine Dolen, Sylviane Gold, Robert Hurwitt, John Istel, Chris Jones, Charles McNulty, Julius Novick, Christopher Rawson, Alisa Solomon, Jeffrey Sweet, Anne Marie Welsh, Linda Winer and Charles Wright. Robert Brustein is consulting editor to the series.
The book is available in stores and on-line. The introduction can be downloaded from here.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Sarah Kane was a phenomenal playwright. speaking of female playwrights, I want to plug myself… if anyone is in London on late September to early October, please come see my play in Covent Garden… check my blog for details.
cheers!