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In “How Plays Work,” renowned playwright David Edgar delves into the mechanics and methods that dramatists across history have used to construct their plays and convey their messages. Designed for both playwrights and theatre enthusiasts, Edgar’s exploration begins with the fundamentals of entire plays – such as plot, character development, genre, and structure – before progressing to individual scenes and theatrical devices. He illustrates how plays share a standard framework that, without it, the unique vision of their creators would remain hidden. “How Plays Work” serves as both an insightful masterclass for playwrights and an intriguing journey through the anatomy of drama.
In this updated edition, Edgar keeps the content fresh with analyses of numerous contemporary plays and examinations of emerging genres and novel practices in playwriting.
Praise for “How Plays Work”:
– ‘A brilliantly enlightening, thoroughly updated, and unmissable read’ – April De Angelis
– ‘A book of significant theoretical substance penned by a respected working playwright’ – Steve Waters
– ‘An indispensable companion for those enthralled by the art of dramatic storytelling’ – John Yorke
– ‘Every theatremaker should have this book in their collection’ – Pippa Hill, Literary Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company
– ‘Even if you’ve read the book before, it’s worth a second look’ – Simon Callow
– ‘Merges theoretical knowledge with the practical expertise of a seasoned dramatist’ – Terry Eagleton, Times Literary Supplement
– ‘Engrossing… You’ll learn plenty from this read’ – The Stage
– ‘Clear, highly intellectual… combines theoretical insight with the confident expertise of a working dramatist’ – Terry Eagleton, TLS