Does anyone else have a fetish for Irish playwrights?
'The Pillowman' - Martin McDonagh
'The Weir' - Conor McPherson
'Translations' - Brian Friel
That's just narrowing it down to one each by my three favourites. XP
Be careful with reading Shakespeare; he's hard work, and SO MUCH better performed! If you fancy cheating, rent Kenneth Branagh's 'Hamlet' and watch it with the subtitles. ;D
Actually, I was thinking about Shakespeare today, and I think the only way to experience him fairly would be to encounter at least six of his plays; two each of the Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. I think I worked out my personal ideal list would be:
'Comedy Of Errors' - silly Comedy
'Much Ado About Nothing' - romantic Comedy
'Henry V' - totally awesome best History
'Richard III' - awesome in a different way History
'Romeo & Juliet' - romantic Tragedy
'Hamlet' - long but fun Tragedy
Although you can work out your own list. But 'Henry V' is TOTALLY my favourite and my best. :3 But I figure if you go for the widest range of Shakespeare available to you, it's an easy way to work out if he's going to work for you. If you like 'Henry V', read 'Henry IV' (both parts) too. If you like 'Richard III', don't miss 'Henry VI' (at least the third part, but the second and even first are relevant too).
Damn, I'm too obsessed with the Histories. But srsly; I love them SO much better than the Comedies or Tragedies. :3
You should also read Edward Albee. I guess people will say "ooh, go for 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf'!", but I prefer 'The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia'. Read as much Albee as you can.
I'm sure I used to have a brain, but I'm blanking on a great many plays right now, I now. ;_;