The Best Modern British Plays of the Last Decade
British theatre has produced extraordinary works in the past ten years, tackling diverse themes and earning recognition from prestigious awards. Below is a curated list of 20 remarkable plays, each celebrated for its brilliance.
1. The Ferryman (2017) by Jez Butterworth
A gripping family drama set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, exploring themes of loyalty, love, and betrayal.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2018), Tony Award for Best Play (2019)
Discover more about The Ferryman →
2. The Inheritance (2018) by Matthew Lopez
An epic exploration of love, legacy, and the impact of the AIDS crisis on the LGBTQ+ community, inspired by Howards End.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2019), Tony Award for Best Play (2020)
Discover more about The Inheritance →
3. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) by Jack Thorne
A magical continuation of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world, delving into the next generation at Hogwarts.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2017), Tony Award for Best Play (2018)
Discover more about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child →
4. Wolf Hall (2014) by Hilary Mantel, adapted by Mike Poulton
A historical drama chronicling the rise of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2015)
Discover more about Wolf Hall →
5. People, Places & Things (2015) by Duncan Macmillan
A raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction and recovery, told through the perspective of an actress in rehab.
Award: Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play (2015)
Discover more about People, Places & Things →
6. The Lehman Trilogy (2018) by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power
An epic narrative tracing the history of the Lehman Brothers, from their arrival in America to the financial crash.
Award: Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play (2019)
Discover more about The Lehman Trilogy →
7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2012) by Simon Stephens
A unique exploration of neurodiversity and family dynamics, following a young boy’s investigation into a neighbourhood mystery.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2013)
Discover more about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time →
8. Chimerica (2013) by Lucy Kirkwood
A political thriller intertwining the story of an American photojournalist with the Tiananmen Square protests.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2014)
Discover more about Chimerica →
9. King Charles III (2014) by Mike Bartlett
A speculative, Shakespearean-style drama envisioning the reign of Prince Charles following the Queen's death.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2015)
Discover more about King Charles III →
10. The Father (2014) by Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton
A poignant and heartbreaking depiction of dementia, told from the perspective of an elderly man losing his grip on reality.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2015)
Discover more about The Father →
11. An Octoroon (2017) by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
A bold and satirical reimagining of a 19th-century melodrama, tackling race and identity with biting humour and innovation.
Award: Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play (2017)
Discover more about An Octoroon →
12. Sweat (2017) by Lynn Nottage
A searing exploration of the decline of the American working class and the tensions within a factory town.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2017) & BEST PLAY - Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019
Discover more about Sweat →
13. Oslo (2016) by J.T. Rogers
A riveting political drama about the secret negotiations leading to the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO.
Award: Tony Award for Best Play (2017)
Discover more about Oslo →
14. The Flick (2013) by Annie Baker
An intimate, naturalistic look at three employees working in a run-down cinema, exploring human connection and monotony.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2014)
Discover more about The Flick →
15. Consent (2017) by Nina Raine
A sharp and provocative exploration of justice and morality, set against the backdrop of a courtroom drama.
Award: Olivier Award Nominee for Best New Play (2018)
Discover more about Consent →
16. The Humans (2014) by Stephen Karam
A tense family drama that unfolds over a single Thanksgiving dinner, exploring class, fear, and generational divides.
Award: Tony Award for Best Play (2016)
Discover more about The Humans →
17. Hangmen (2015) by Martin McDonagh
A dark comedy about Britain’s second-best executioner, reflecting on justice and morality in a post-death penalty world.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2016)
Discover more about Hangmen →
18. The Children (2016) by Lucy Kirkwood
A gripping and intimate drama about personal responsibility, generational legacy, and environmental catastrophe.
Award: Winner of the 2018 Writers' Guild of Great Award for BEST PLAY.
Discover more about The Children →
19. Leopoldstadt (2020) by Tom Stoppard
A deeply personal and epic exploration of Jewish identity, family history, and the devastation of the Holocaust.
Award: Olivier Award for Best New Play (2020)
Discover more about Leopoldstadt →
20. A Very Expensive Poison (2019) by Lucy Prebble
A darkly satirical and surreal retelling of the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko.
Award: Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play (2019)
Discover more about A Very Expensive Poison →