Member-only story

The History and Influence of the Number NHB Modern Plays

Ignacio Hayes

·16.5k Followers· Follow

Published in A Number (NHB Modern Plays)

5 min read

1.5k View Claps

80 Respond

Save

Listen

The Number NHB Modern Plays are a series of twenty-one plays written by British playwrights between 1956 and 1965. The plays were published by the publisher Penguin Books and were intended to be accessible to a wide audience, including those who were not familiar with modern theatre.

A Number (NHB Modern Plays)

by Caryl Churchill

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	852 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	64 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Number NHB Modern Plays were a major force in the development of modern theatre. They introduced new themes and techniques to the stage, and helped to break down the barriers between traditional and avant-garde theatre.

Early History

The Number NHB Modern Plays were the brainchild of Nancy Mitford, a British novelist and journalist. Mitford was a passionate advocate for modern theatre, and she believed that the plays of her contemporaries deserved a wider audience.

In 1956, Mitford persuaded Penguin Books to publish a series of modern plays. The first play in the series was John Osborne's Look Back in Anger. The play was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the Number NHB Modern Plays as a major force in the theatre world.

Major Themes

The Number NHB Modern Plays explored a wide range of themes, including social class, alienation, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

Many of the plays were critical of the British establishment. Osborne's Look Back in Anger, for example, depicted the frustrations of a young working-class man who is unable to find his place in society.

Other plays explored the theme of alienation. Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot depicts two tramps who are waiting for a man who never arrives. The play is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and it has been interpreted in many different ways.

The Number NHB Modern Plays also explored the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party depicts a group of people who are trapped in a meaningless existence. The play is a dark and unsettling exploration of the human psyche.

Major Playwrights

The Number NHB Modern Plays featured some of the most important playwrights of the twentieth century, including John Osborne, Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard.

John Osborne was one of the most influential playwrights of the post-war era. His plays were often critical of the British establishment, and they helped to give voice to a generation of young people who were disillusioned with the status quo.

Samuel Beckett was one of the most experimental playwrights of the twentieth century. His plays often explored the themes of alienation and the search for meaning in a meaningless world.

Harold Pinter was one of the most important playwrights of the 1960s and 1970s. His plays often dealt with the themes of power, control, and betrayal.

Tom Stoppard is one of the most acclaimed playwrights of the contemporary era. His plays are often witty and intellectually challenging, and they explore a wide range of themes, including history, politics, and philosophy.

Contemporary Impact

The Number NHB Modern Plays have had a profound impact on the development of modern theatre. They have introduced new themes and techniques to the stage, and they continue to be performed and studied around the world.

The plays are still relevant today because they speak to the human condition in a universal way. They explore the themes of social class, alienation, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. These themes are as relevant today as they were when the plays were first written.

The Number NHB Modern Plays are a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the history of theatre or in the work of some of the most important playwrights of the twentieth century.

A Number (NHB Modern Plays)

by Caryl Churchill

4.6 out of 5