Stage Pages
Reading list · 57 plays

Plays from the Irish Dramatic Revival

The Irish dramatic revival of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century produced a body of theatrical writing — Synge, Yeats, early Shaw — that effectively created modern Irish theatre. The plays below are the working core of that movement.

Advertisement

  1. Lady Windermere's Fan

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    Lady Windermere's Fan (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  2. 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…

  3. A Woman of No Importance

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    Written by Oscar Wilde (first published 1900), A Woman of No Importance stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  4. The Duchess of Padua

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Tragedy

    The Duchess of Padua (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  5. An Ideal Husband

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband (first published 1900) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  6. Misalliance

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

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

  7. Riders to the Sea

    by J. M. (John Millington) Synge · 1909 · One-Act Play

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Riders to the Sea by J. M. (John Millington) Synge (first published 1909) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  8. The Dark Lady of the Sonnets

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Dark Lady of the Sonnets by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  9. Mrs. Warren's Profession

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Mrs. Warren's Profession by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  10. 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…

  11. 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…

  12. A Florentine Tragedy; La Sainte Courtisane

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Tragedy

    A Florentine Tragedy; La Sainte Courtisane (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  13. The Tinker's Wedding

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

    The Tinker's Wedding (first published 1909) is a stage play by J. M. (John Millington) Synge, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  14. In the Shadow of the Glen

    by J. M. (John Millington) Synge · 1909 · One-Act Play

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, In the Shadow of the Glen by J. M. (John Millington) Synge (first published 1909) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and…

  15. Deirdre of the Sorrows

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

    Deirdre of the Sorrows (first published 1909) is a stage play by J. M. (John Millington) Synge, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  16. You Never Can Tell

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    You Never Can Tell (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  17. 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.

  18. Caesar and Cleopatra

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Written by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950), Caesar and Cleopatra stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  19. Captain Brassbound's Conversion

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Captain Brassbound's Conversion by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  20. O'Flaherty V.C.: A Recruiting Pamphlet

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's O'Flaherty V.C.: A Recruiting Pamphlet (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  21. Annajanska, the Bolshevik Empress

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · One-Act Play

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Annajanska, the Bolshevik Empress by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  22. 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…

  23. Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Farce

    Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  24. Great Catherine (Whom Glory Still Adores)

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Great Catherine (Whom Glory Still Adores) (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  25. Heartbreak House

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Heartbreak House (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  26. How He Lied to Her Husband

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    How He Lied to Her Husband (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  27. John Bull's Other Island

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    John Bull's Other Island (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  28. Arms and the Man

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  29. The Devil's Disciple

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    The Devil's Disciple (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  30. Major Barbara

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Major Barbara (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  31. Pygmalion

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

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

  32. Overruled

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Overruled (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  33. Androcles and the Lion

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  34. Candida

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's Candida (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  35. The Man of Destiny

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's The Man of Destiny (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  36. The Doctor's Dilemma

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    The Doctor's Dilemma (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  37. The Philanderer

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's The Philanderer (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  38. Getting Married

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's Getting Married (first published 1950) 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. Fanny's First Play

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's Fanny's First Play (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  40. The Shewing-up of Blanco Posnet

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's The Shewing-up of Blanco Posnet (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  41. Press Cuttings

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Bernard Shaw's Press Cuttings (first published 1950) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  42. Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    Written by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950), Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch stands as one of the durable works of Realism & Naturalism, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

  43. The noble lord

    by Percival Wilde · 1953 · One-Act Play

    The noble lord (first published 1953) is a stage play by Percival Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  44. The reckoning

    by Percival Wilde · 1953 · One-Act Play

    Percival Wilde's The reckoning (first published 1953) 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 Miraculous Revenge

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    The Miraculous Revenge (first published 1950) is a stage play by Bernard Shaw, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  46. For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · One-Act Play

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque by Oscar Wilde (first published 1900) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold…

  47. Vera; Or, The Nihilists

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    Vera; Or, The Nihilists (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  48. The Admirable Bashville; Or, Constancy Unrewarded Being the Novel of Cashel Byron's Profession Done into a Stage Play in Three Acts and in Blank Verse, with a Note on Modern Prize Fighting

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Admirable Bashville; Or, Constancy Unrewarded Being the Novel of Cashel Byron's Profession Done into a Stage Play in Three Acts and in Blank Verse, with a Note on Modern Prize…

  49. Salomé: A Tragedy in One Act

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Tragedy

    Salomé: A Tragedy in One Act (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  50. Alias Santa Claus

    by Percival Wilde · 1953 · Drama

    Percival Wilde's Alias Santa Claus (first published 1953) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

  51. Saint Joan

    by Bernard Shaw · 1950 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw (first published 1950) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  52. Intentions

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    Intentions (first published 1900) is a stage play by Oscar Wilde, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  53. Miscellanies

    by Oscar Wilde · 1900 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, Miscellanies by Oscar Wilde (first published 1900) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  54. The Countess Cathleen

    by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats · 1939 · Drama

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Countess Cathleen by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats (first published 1939) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  55. The Land of Heart's Desire

    by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats · 1939 · One-Act Play

    The Land of Heart's Desire (first published 1939) is a stage play by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

  56. The Hour Glass

    by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats · 1939 · One-Act Play

    A defining work of Realism & Naturalism, The Hour Glass by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats (first published 1939) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

  57. New Comedies

    by Lady Gregory · 1932 · Comedy

    New Comedies (first published 1932) is a stage play by Lady Gregory, a touchstone of the Realism & Naturalism repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

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.