How Plays Work

How Plays Work has grown out of David Edgar’s teaching in the University of Birmingham’s MA course in playwriting studies, which he founded twenty years ago. Through historical and modern examples, the book analyzes the basic elements of dramatic structure, action, plot, character, dialogue, and genre.

A master class in the art of playwriting by an accomplished and successful practitioner, David Edgar.

David Edgar is best known for his adaptation of "Nicholas Nickleby" for the RSC (revived in West End, Xmas 2007, Following UK tour), for whom he wrote "Destiny", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "Pentecost" and "The Prisoner's Dilemma". His plays at the National include "The Shape of the Table", "Entertaining Strangers" with Judi Dench, and "Albert Speer".