State of Play: Playwrights on Playwriting

Introduction by David Edgar, Afterword by Phyllis Nagy A new annual journal of the theater, this premiere issue of State of Play concentrates on contemporary British playwrights and their view of their craft. Inspired by a series of discussions at the Birmingham Theater Conference, which brought together playwrights, directors, actors, critics, and playgoers to debate the state of theater today, State of Play will be a forum for writing about the theater. This first issue focuses on contemporary British theater, exploring issues that range from the direction of playwriting today to the challenge improvisational theater is making to text-based performance. In each succeeding issue, a selection of the best playwrights, both new and established, will speak about what it means to be a playwright now, discussing important topics that will resonate with playwrights and theatergoers of all perspectives and nationalities. State of Play is introduced and edited by David Edgar, a playwright and professor of theater who puts contemporary playwriting in the context of the history of the form. The text itself includes contributions from such playwrights as Mark Ravenhill, Winsome Pinnock, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Conor McPherson, Sebastian Barry, and Christopher Hampton. An Afterword by American playwright Phyllis Nagy traces a different line of playwriting antecedents, adding another viewpoint to a continuing conversation about theater. David Edgar teaches playwriting at Birmingham University in Birmingham, England.