Stage Pages
Reading list · 50 plays

Fifty Greatest Comedies of All Time

Comedy is the harder discipline. The plays gathered here have, between them, been responsible for more genuine theatrical laughter than any other body of work in the public domain. Each is in active circulation; each is regularly programmed by companies whose directors know that audiences who have laughed together at a well-built scene are more receptive to whatever comes next in the season.

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  1. The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Comedy

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by Oscar Wilde (first published 1900) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close…

  2. The Comedy of Errors

    by William Shakespeare · 1616 · Comedy

    The Comedy of Errors (first published 1616) is a stage play by William Shakespeare, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  3. The Playboy of the Western World: A Comedy in Three Acts

    by J. M. (John Millington) Synge · 1909 · Comedy

    J. M. (John Millington) Synge's The Playboy of the Western World: A Comedy in Three Acts (first published 1909) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters…

  4. The Well of the Saints: A Comedy in Three Acts

    by J. M. (John Millington) Synge · 1909 · Comedy

    Written by J. M. (John Millington) Synge (first published 1909), The Well of the Saints: A Comedy in Three Acts stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes…

  5. Tartuffe; Or, The Hypocrite

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Tartuffe; Or, The Hypocrite (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  6. Amphitryon

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Molière's Amphitryon (first published 1673) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  7. The Clouds

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    The Clouds (first published -386) is a stage play by Aristophanes, a touchstone of the Greek Antiquity repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  8. Peace

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    Written by Aristophanes (first published -386), Peace stands as one of the durable works of Greek Antiquity, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  9. The Middle-Class Gentleman

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Written by Molière (first published 1673), The Middle-Class Gentleman stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  10. The Acharnians

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    Aristophanes's The Acharnians (first published -386) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  11. The Birds

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    A defining work of Greek Antiquity, The Birds by Aristophanes (first published -386) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  12. Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Comedy

    Written by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950), Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  13. The Inca of Perusalem: An Almost Historical Comedietta

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Comedy

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Inca of Perusalem: An Almost Historical Comedietta by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold…

  14. The Pretentious Young Ladies

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Pretentious Young Ladies (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  15. The Blunderer

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Written by Molière (first published 1673), The Blunderer stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  16. The Love-Tiff

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Love-Tiff (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  17. The Bores: A Comedy in Three Acts

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Molière's The Bores: A Comedy in Three Acts (first published 1673) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  18. Sganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived Husband

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    A defining work of Renaissance & Elizabethan, Sganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived Husband by Molière (first published 1673) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  19. Don Garcia of Navarre; Or, the Jealous Prince. A Heroic Comedy in Five Acts.

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    A defining work of Renaissance & Elizabethan, Don Garcia of Navarre; Or, the Jealous Prince. A Heroic Comedy in Five Acts. by Molière (first published 1673) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that…

  20. The School for Husbands

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Written by Molière (first published 1673), The School for Husbands stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  21. The Miser

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Miser (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  22. Monsieur De Pourceaugnac

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Written by Molière (first published 1673), Monsieur De Pourceaugnac stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  23. The Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques)

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Magnificent Lovers (Les Amants magnifiques) (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  24. The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    A defining work of Renaissance & Elizabethan, The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman by Molière (first published 1673) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  25. The Countess of Escarbagnas

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Countess of Escarbagnas (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  26. Lysistrata

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    A defining work of Greek Antiquity, Lysistrata by Aristophanes (first published -386) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  27. The Frogs

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    A defining work of Greek Antiquity, The Frogs by Aristophanes (first published -386) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  28. The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    Written by Aristophanes (first published -386), The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1 stands as one of the durable works of Greek Antiquity, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  29. The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2

    by Aristophanes · 386 BCE · Comedy

    A defining work of Greek Antiquity, The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2 by Aristophanes (first published -386) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  30. The Learned Women

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Written by Molière (first published 1673), The Learned Women stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  31. The Impostures of Scapin

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    The Impostures of Scapin (first published 1673) is a stage play by Molière, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  32. The Imaginary Invalid

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    A defining work of Renaissance & Elizabethan, The Imaginary Invalid by Molière (first published 1673) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  33. The Romancers: A Comedy in Three Acts

    by Edmond Rostand · 1918 · Comedy

    The Romancers: A Comedy in Three Acts (first published 1918) is a stage play by Edmond Rostand, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  34. Love's Comedy

    by Henrik Ibsen · 1906 · Comedy

    Love's Comedy (first published 1906) is a stage play by Henrik Ibsen, a touchstone of the Romantic Drama repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  35. The Comedy of Errors The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.]

    by William Shakespeare · 1616 · Comedy

    The Comedy of Errors The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] (first published 1616) is a stage play by William Shakespeare, a touchstone of the Renaissance & Elizabethan repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  36. The Rivals: A Comedy

    by Richard Brinsley Sheridan · 1816 · Comedy

    Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (first published 1816), The Rivals: A Comedy stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  37. The Flying Doctor (Le Médecin Volant)

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    A defining work of Renaissance & Elizabethan, The Flying Doctor (Le Médecin Volant) by Molière (first published 1673) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  38. The Jealousy of le Barbouillé (La Jalousie du Barbouillé)

    by Molière · 1673 · Comedy

    Molière's The Jealousy of le Barbouillé (La Jalousie du Barbouillé) (first published 1673) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  39. Quality Street: A Comedy

    by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie · 1937 · Comedy

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Quality Street: A Comedy by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie (first published 1937) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  40. Cyrano de Bergerac: An Heroic Comedy in Five Acts

    by Edmond Rostand · 1918 · Comedy

    Written by Edmond Rostand (first published 1918), Cyrano de Bergerac: An Heroic Comedy in Five Acts stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  41. Bartholomew Fair: A Comedy

    by Ben Jonson · 1637 · Comedy

    Written by Ben Jonson (first published 1637), Bartholomew Fair: A Comedy stands as one of the durable works of Renaissance & Elizabethan, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  42. A kiss for Cinderella: A comedy

    by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie · 1937 · Comedy

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, A kiss for Cinderella: A comedy by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie (first published 1937) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and…

  43. She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy

    by Oliver Goldsmith · 1774 · Comedy

    She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy (first published 1774) is a stage play by Oliver Goldsmith, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  44. The Double-Dealer: A Comedy

    by William Congreve · 1729 · Comedy

    William Congreve's The Double-Dealer: A Comedy (first published 1729) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  45. The Old Bachelor: A Comedy

    by William Congreve · 1729 · Comedy

    The Old Bachelor: A Comedy (first published 1729) is a stage play by William Congreve, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  46. Love for Love: A Comedy

    by William Congreve · 1729 · Comedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Love for Love: A Comedy by William Congreve (first published 1729) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  47. Miss Civilization: A Comedy in One Act

    by Richard Harding Davis · 1916 · Comedy

    Richard Harding Davis's Miss Civilization: A Comedy in One Act (first published 1916) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  48. The Master of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable Comedy

    by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome · 1927 · Comedy

    The Master of Mrs. Chilvers: An Improbable Comedy (first published 1927) is a stage play by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  49. The Silver Box: A Comedy in Three Acts

    by John Galsworthy · 1933 · Comedy

    Written by John Galsworthy (first published 1933), The Silver Box: A Comedy in Three Acts stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  50. The Skin Game (A Tragi-Comedy)

    by John Galsworthy · 1933 · Comedy

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Skin Game (A Tragi-Comedy) by John Galsworthy (first published 1933) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

How this list was put together

The selections above were drawn from the full Stage Pages archive of 520 public-domain stage plays. Where ranking is implied by the order, that ranking is editorial — defensible, but not unanimous. Where the list is alphabetical or chronological, we say so.

If you have a candidate we missed, the whole library is one click away from the main scripts index; we add titles to lists as the catalogue grows.