Books in the Modern Plays series

The Monstrous Regiment in question is made up of a vampire (reformed and off the blood, thank you), a troll, Igor (who is only too happy to sew you a new leg if you aren't too particular about previous ownership), a collection of misfits and a young woman discovers that a pair of socks shoved down her pants is a good way to open up doors.

A masterpiece of Russian drama, now in a student edition

Written in 1892, The Weavers was a response to an extraordinary, disorganised and doomed rebellion by factory workers in Silesia in the 1840s. Fifty years later, conditions had not significantly changed and Hauptmann's dramatisation, which places the workers centre stage, was a radical departure from German romantic drama. It is now considered a classic of socialist theatre and the first play with a collective hero.This edition also provides an introduction to the play and to Hauptmann's life and work.'Hauptmann has written two or three masterpieces - a little immortal thing like The Weavers for instance' James Joyce'His work stands with that of Ibsen and Strindberg as the source and inspiration of all modern drama' Eugene O'Neill.

Schnitzler's masterpiece, La Ronde, shows a spectrum of social class from prostitutes to noblemen in a series of drily observed, loveless sexual encounters. Remembered by many as the basis of a famous film in 1950, the real notoriety of La Ronde goes back to 1900 when it was privately printed and subsequently banned. It was not performed until 1920 in Berlin, where anti-Semitic riots broke out, resulting in the arrest and trial of the cast and director, allegedly for obscenity. The controversy continued with David Hare's adaptation, The Blue Room, which starred Nicole Kidman, at the Donmar Warehouse.This translation is by the playwright and critic Frank Marcus, who has also provided a full introduction to Schnitzler's life and work.

A play for young people, describing the transition from childhood to adulthood. In the process of choosing how to live, young people are shown as potential creators of our world, or its destroyers.

Billy and Breda haven't had a night out together in years. Tonight, Breda's lost weight and gained a babysitter and a new outfit and is ready to sweep Billy off his feet down at Flanagans. But Billy has other plans - most of them involving Imelda Edgan.

A courtroom drama using the audience as jury, as if they were in the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey. The audience must decide - did Dr Sherwood murder his wife? Was Jennifer Mitchell his mistress? Which of his alibis should they believe?

Barry's fifteen minutes of infamy are overdue, and when laughter's your living... that's no joke. Courted at the end of his show by bankers John and Jane, TV star Barry believes he is to get the 5-star treatment that he deserve

Second major play by award-winning Royal Court Writer

Stephens's play is a complex snapshot of three couples making decisions, which will determine the direction of their relationships. At some points linked and at other points independent, Wastwater looks at fragile connections in relationships, fatal decisions and consequences.

A play for 7-12 year olds, based on the events of October 1988 at Point Barrow, North Alaska, when three Californian grey whales were trapped under the ice. Other plays for children by this playwright include "Solomon and Big Cat".

A wonderfully comic play from one of Dublin's best writers

Using Oliver Sacks' neurological study "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" as its inspiration, "The Man Who" offers a series of doctor/patient scenarios that examine our attempts to understand the workings of the brain.

Chekhov's widely performed classic study of provincial life explores the irony of hope and the inadequacy of consolation.

A new comic drama, starring Maureen Lipman, about the life of the famous play agent, Peggy Ramsay, who helped transform post-war British drama

In a drowned world - how far will you go to save your own skin? In this vicious tale of love, revolt and beauty, Gary Owen presents a vision of a world divided between citizens and non-citizens, where friends betray one another and where surfaces matter more than love or kinship.

The study of the frail, flawed relationship between a middle-aged woman tripe butcher and a loud-mouthed factory worker.

The Discworld's most inept wizard has been sent to the oppressive Agatean Empire to help overthrow the Emperor. He's aided by toy-rabbit-wielding rebels, an army of terracotta warriors, a tax gatherer, seven very elderly barbarian heroes, and a subversive book entitled "What I Did On My Holidays".

A play and production from one of the world's most innovative theatre companies

Dramatic events in a rural community on the Scottish coast reflect the shifting political and social fabric of Britain in the 20th century. This play premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.

Specially commissioned by the Hampstead Theatre, "Neverland" is a blend of humour and surrealism, with interconnected issues of sex, truth, sincerity, psychology and mystery.

Two plays from one of Britain's most challenging dramatists. Both are set in a late-21st-century post-apocalyptic landscape where human behaviour is monitored, living spaces are designated and any emotional displays are eradicated.

By the author of Lucky Bag, Up to You, Porky and Barmy, two plays that provided an early vehicle for Victoria Wood's own performance teamed with Julie Walters. Friendship comes under uncommon strain in both plays as a community arts centre prepares to host the annual rally of cystitis sufferers in Good Fun and Maureen helps Julie dress for a night-club talent contest in Talent.

As part of Wakefield's centenary celebrations in 1988, the author was commissioned to do a modern adaptation of the Wakefield Medieval Mystery Plays. Simple vernacular speech is retained, spanning the Creation to the Resurrection. The music is by Andy Roberts.

"In Shopping and Fucking, Mark Ravenhill made theatre relevant to the Thatcher generation. Now he's put videos and Net-surfing in Faust. And it's no less stunning" (Guardian)

In the light of a pregnancy, a faithless couple pick apart their relationship, stitch by painful stitch. Can it be mended? This dark and intimate play is a love story set at the extremes of brutality, banality and tenderness.

A stunning new play by "the most exciting playwright to come out of Wales" (Guardian)