Restoration Comedies Worth Reading Now

1. The School for Scandal

   by Richard Brinsley Sheridan · 1816 · Verse Drama

   A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (first published 1816) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

2. Egmont

   by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Tragedy

   Written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (first published 1832), Egmont stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

3. Wilhelm Tell

   by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Verse Drama

   Wilhelm Tell (first published 1805) is a stage play by Friedrich Schiller, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

4. Faust — Part 1

   by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Verse Drama

   Written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (first published 1832), Faust — Part 1 stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

5. St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act

   by Richard Brinsley Sheridan · 1816 · Farce

   Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (first published 1816), St. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One Act stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes…

6. The Duenna: A Comic Opera

   by Richard Brinsley Sheridan · 1816 · Drama

   A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, The Duenna: A Comic Opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (first published 1816) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

7. The Robbers

   by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

   The Robbers (first published 1805) is a stage play by Friedrich Schiller, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

8. Fiesco; or, the Genoese Conspiracy: A Tragedy

   by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

   Fiesco; or, the Genoese Conspiracy: A Tragedy (first published 1805) is a stage play by Friedrich Schiller, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

9. Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy

   by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

   A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

10. Wallenstein's Camp: A Play

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Drama

    Written by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805), Wallenstein's Camp: A Play stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

11. The Piccolomini: A Play

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Verse Drama

    The Piccolomini: A Play (first published 1805) is a stage play by Friedrich Schiller, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

12. The Death of Wallenstein

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Verse Drama

    Friedrich Schiller's The Death of Wallenstein (first published 1805) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

13. Don Carlos: A Play

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Verse Drama

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Don Carlos: A Play by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

14. Demetrius: A Play

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Drama

    Friedrich Schiller's Demetrius: A Play (first published 1805) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

15. Mary Stuart: A Tragedy

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Mary Stuart: A Tragedy by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

16. The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

17. The Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in Tragedy

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Tragedy

    Friedrich Schiller's The Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in Tragedy (first published 1805) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors…

18. The Works of Frederick Schiller

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Verse Drama

    The Works of Frederick Schiller (first published 1805) is a stage play by Friedrich Schiller, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

19. A Trip to Scarborough; and, The Critic

    by Richard Brinsley Sheridan · 1816 · Verse Drama

    Richard Brinsley Sheridan's A Trip to Scarborough; and, The Critic (first published 1816) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

20. Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe

    by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Tragedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (first published 1832) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that…

21. Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres

    by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Verse Drama

    Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres (first published 1832) is a stage play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

22. Iphigenia in Tauris

    by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Drama

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Iphigenia in Tauris by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (first published 1832) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

23. 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.

24. Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · Drama

    Written by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805), Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

25. The Illustrated Works of Friedrich Schiller A Linked Index to the Project Gutenberg Editions

    by Friedrich Schiller · 1805 · One-Act Play

    Written by Friedrich Schiller (first published 1805), The Illustrated Works of Friedrich Schiller A Linked Index to the Project Gutenberg Editions stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable…

26. The Life and Death of Doctor Faustus Made into a Farce

    by William Mountfort · 1692 · Farce

    William Mountfort's The Life and Death of Doctor Faustus Made into a Farce (first published 1692) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight…

27. Faust: A Tragedy

    by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · 1832 · Tragedy

    Faust: A Tragedy (first published 1832) is a stage play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

28. 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.

29. The Contrast

    by Royall Tyler · 1826 · Drama

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, The Contrast by Royall Tyler (first published 1826) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

30. Tales from Shakespeare

    by Charles Lamb · 1834 · Verse Drama

    Charles Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare (first published 1834) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. The Way of the World

    by William Congreve · 1729 · Verse Drama

    William Congreve's The Way of the World (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.

35. The Beggar's Opera

    by John Gay · 1732 · Drama

    Written by John Gay (first published 1732), The Beggar's Opera stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

36. Minna Von Barnhelm

    by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing · 1781 · Verse Drama

    Written by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (first published 1781), Minna Von Barnhelm stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

37. Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

    by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing · 1781 · Verse Drama

    Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts (first published 1781) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to…

38. Count Julian

    by Walter Savage Landor · 1864 · Tragedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Count Julian by Walter Savage Landor (first published 1864) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

39. Lovers' Vows

    by August von Kotzebue · 1819 · Drama

    August von Kotzebue's Lovers' Vows (first published 1819) 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. Signora Fantastici (A Dramatic Proverb)

    by Madame de (Anne-Louise-Germaine) Staël · 1817 · One-Act Play

    Written by Madame de (Anne-Louise-Germaine) Staël (first published 1817), Signora Fantastici (A Dramatic Proverb) stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

41. Socrates

    by Voltaire · 1778 · Tragedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Socrates by Voltaire (first published 1778) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and bold staging.

42. Characters of Shakespeare's Plays

    by William Hazlitt · 1830 · Verse Drama

    William Hazlitt's Characters of Shakespeare's Plays (first published 1830) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

43. Citation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Joseph Carnaby, and Silas Gough, Clerk

    by Walter Savage Landor · 1864 · Verse Drama

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Citation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Joseph Carnaby, and Silas Gough, Clerk by Walter Savage Landor (first published 1864) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for…

44. Comedies by Holberg : Jeppe of the Hill, The Political Tinker, Erasmus Montanus

    by Ludvig Holberg · 1754 · Comedy

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, Comedies by Holberg : Jeppe of the Hill, The Political Tinker, Erasmus Montanus by Ludvig Holberg (first published 1754) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that…

45. The Triple Marriage

    by Néricault Destouches · 1754 · Drama

    Néricault Destouches's The Triple Marriage (first published 1754) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

46. The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 12

    by Henry Fielding · 1754 · Verse Drama

    Henry Fielding's The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 12 (first published 1754) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

47. The Female Gamester: A Tragedy

    by Gorges Edmond Howard · 1786 · Tragedy

    The Female Gamester: A Tragedy (first published 1786) is a stage play by Gorges Edmond Howard, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

48. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 01

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    Robert Dodsley's A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 01 (first published 1764) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors actually fight to play.

49. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    A defining work of Restoration & Neoclassical, A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02 by Robert Dodsley (first published 1764) continues to attract directors, dramaturgs, and student companies looking for material that rewards close reading and…

50. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06 (first published 1764) is a stage play by Robert Dodsley, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

51. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07 (first published 1764) is a stage play by Robert Dodsley, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

52. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 08

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    Written by Robert Dodsley (first published 1764), A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 08 stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

53. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09

    by Robert Dodsley · 1764 · Verse Drama

    Written by Robert Dodsley (first published 1764), A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09 stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable scenes and theatrically generous structure.

54. The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 4 Poems and Plays

    by Charles Lamb · 1834 · Verse Drama

    Charles Lamb's The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 4 Poems and Plays (first published 1834) is a script directors return to whenever they want a vehicle that combines language of real beauty with characters actors…

55. The Dramatic Works of John Dryden, Volume 1 With a Life of the Author

    by Walter Scott · 1832 · Verse Drama

    Written by Walter Scott (first published 1832), The Dramatic Works of John Dryden, Volume 1 With a Life of the Author stands as one of the durable works of Restoration & Neoclassical, regularly revived for its richly playable…

56. La Tontine

    by Alain René Le Sage · 1747 · One-Act Play

    La Tontine (first published 1747) is a stage play by Alain René Le Sage, a touchstone of the Restoration & Neoclassical repertoire that has been performed continuously for generations.

How this list was put together