Who is the Shakespeare of the 20th Century?

Shakespeare is, by far, one of the most important playwrights of Elizabethan England, if not ever. He is so acclaimed to the point where most people know the name William Shakespeare, but almost no one knows who Thomas Kyd or Christopher Marlowe are. Will something similar happen to a dramatist of the 20th century? If so, who will it be? Will it be Arthur Miller, who examined the downfall of the American Dream and the mass hysteria of the Red Scare? Or Bertolt Brecht, who perfected the alienation effect of theatre? Will it be someone involved in musical theatre, like R&H, Sondheim, or William Finn, who transformed the genre?

No, I don't think there will be a "William Shakespeare" of the 20th century. William Shakespeare is William Shakespeare. That's the point - no playwright matches his universal notoriety. Also, interesting that you'd specifically ask about the 20th century. No "William Shakespeare" equivalent arose out of the 18th or 19th centuries, so why would there be one for the 20th century?



EDIT: ah, haterobics beat me to the punch on that last comment!

Updated On: 2/9/17 at 12:38 PM

The thing to me about Shakespeare is that he wrote popular comedies, tragedies, histories and romances. Not to mention his non-theatre writings. There is no one genre. What playwright in the 19th or 20th Century dabbled in so many areas?

The most popular American playwright of the 20th Century probably is Neil Simon - but I don't know how international his reach is. Also, I don't think autobiographical plays count as histories. And, I don't know that any of his works are really "tragedies". I'm not aware of any popular comedies by Miller or Tennessee Williams.

The closest "Shakespeare" of the 1800s for impact would likely be Gilbert&Sullivan. Their works are constantly in production. There are Gilbert&Sullivan Societies and Companies. Their works are continuously reinterpreted. While somewhat formulaic (okay, very much so), their works have variety of topics, settings and time periods. Although again, no real tragedies. Chekov wrote comedies and tragedies, but I'm not aware of any histories, although he is produced (and studied) non-stop. So, maybe him?

Updated On: 2/9/17 at 07:59 PM

Shakespeare is the Shakespeare of the 20th Century.

This thread is rather obviously a conversation between English speakers. In addition to his genius, part of the reason Shakespeare is so ubiquitous is because English speaking peoples have dominated much of the world since the playwright's day.

But ask the French and most will be happy to tell you why Moliere and Racine are superior to the Bard.

If China ends up dominating the world in the 21st and 22nd centuries, Shakespeare's work will survive, I'm sure, but he may not be the most produced playwright in the world in 2200 A.D.

Updated On: 2/9/17 at 10:24 PM

I'd go Arthur Miller, personally.

Actually, GavestonPS, they love Shakespeare in China. In Shanghai, they had a year long celebration of the 400th anniversary of his death, which happened the same year as the renowned Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu. They celebrate the two together. There were even some mash-ups combining works by the two.

GavestonPS said: "But ask the French and most will be happy to tell you why Moliere and Racine are superior to the Bard."

Moliere really pumps my nads.

If it's anyone it's Tom Stoppard. His use of language is amazing.