British Playwrights 1880-1956

From 1880 to 1956 when John Osborne transformed the British theater world with Look Back in Anger British playwrights made numerous lasting contributions and provided a foundation for the innovations of dramatists during the latter half of the 20th century. This reference profiles the life and work of some 40 British playwrights active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries many of whom are also known for their work as novelists and poets. Included are figures such as W. H. Auden Max Beerbohm Noel Coward T. S. Eliot John Galsworthy Graham Greene D. H. Lawrence W. Somerset Maugham George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde. Each entry provides a biographical overview; a list of major plays and summaries of their critical reception; a list of minor plays adaptations and productions; an assessment of the playwright''s career; and archival and bibliographical informationcluded in this reference book are alphabetically arranged entries for some 40 British playwrights active from 1880 through 1956. Entries are written by expert contributors with each entry providing a biographical overview; a list of major plays premieres and significant revivals along with a summary of the critical reception of these works; a listing of additional plays adaptations and productions; an assessment of the playwright''s career and contributions with reference to published evaluations in magazines journals dissertations and books; a listing of locations housing unpublished archival material if available; a selected bibliography of the dramatist''s published plays and of essays and articles by the playwright on aspects of the theater; a selected bibliography of secondary sources; and when available a listing of previously published bibliographies on the playwright.