ABSTRACT
Many boards give candidates an opportunity to present an excerpt from a contemporary play. Sometimes lists of set pieces are given in the syllabus; at other times the onus for the choice is placed on the candidate, which throws up the question, ‘What is meant by a contemporary play?’ Many would understand that this means a play by an author who is at present living and writing but some boards would extend the span; thus the New Era stipulates that a scene from a Modern play’ may be given. The Guildhall School issues a caveat that the setting of the contemporary play must be in the present day; however, the normal understanding is that whilst the author must be one of our contemporaries the setting may be of any period past or present.
