ABSTRACT
Social farce puts an emphasis on those societal aspects that challenge us morally. The chapter begins with an overview of the seminal contributions of the late British playwright Joe Orton, who may be considered the architect of social farce, and who is often cited as a major influence on those writing at the darker edges of the form. The chapter is divided into three sections, with contemporary playwrights exploring the roles of gender, identity and sexuality (Marius Von Mayenburg, Nell Benjamin); class status (John Guare, Mike Bartlett); and race and ethnicity (David Henry Hwang, Thomas Bradshaw, Nakkiah Lui). These plays highlight social biases, while engaging audiences in challenging conversations through comedy. The farcical aspects of these plays juxtapose satirically, inviting audiences to dialogue with troubling or uncomfortable social issues.
