Best mystery and suspense plays of the modern theatre

This anthology includes ten plays. Among the plays are Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston's 1927 script for *Dracula* that was performed on Broadway, and Anthony Shaffer's *Sleuth*. I think that this or other Stanley Richards' play anthologies could work well as a Theater or English classroom text.

Well written drama is a long term joy to the generations. Broadway and popular plays have of late run to musicals. Some people might say that murder is a preoccupation or hobby for the English : a make believe. I see it as a deadly serious predatory streak in which they would what they would do if the could is simulated. Somewhat like the cathartic trauma of Greek tragedy, the English mystery/ detective drama serves a social purpose and satisfies a need at the same time. Clever, more clever, too clever and dead... This mix goes to movie scripts popular in the 30's and 40's too. I think the lead in drama has switched from Broadway to Hollywood in modern times.