The present anthology brings together fifty contemporary one-act plays from diverse authors representing many countries, capturing the remarkable renascence of the modern theater. The editors have carefully selected these pieces to reflect the growing popularity of the concise dramatic form among younger dramatists and little theater groups. Ranging from classical Austrian verse to modern Russian, American, and European comedies and dramas, the collection traverses an astonishing breadth of human emotion and theatrical style. The plays explore complex problems of love, duty, human frailty, and destiny, utilizing the tight framework of the one-act structure to deliver intense dramatic impact.
Among the notable works included are pieces by renowned European and American writers such as Arthur Schnitzler, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Maurice Maeterlinck, and Eugene O'Neill, alongside numerous rare discoveries. Through these varied storylines, the collection demonstrates how the one-act play serves as a vital mirror for the passions and contradictions of human existence. The journey concludes with a comprehensive bibliography, offering readers a gateway into the wider world of contemporary dramatic literature.
