Plays About Religion, Faith, the Bible and Morality Plays
Religion or faith play an important part in these plays. The morality plays are in their own section at the bottom.
Plays About Religion
Amicable by Paige Steadman (1 Act)
Leda, a historian, and Wati, a genetic researcher, are married. They’re at the Marriage License and Divorce Certification Bureau. They clearly love each other but they’re applying for a divorce. They’re also going to be attending a wedding next month.
This play can be read in the preview of The Best New Ten Minute Plays, 2020. (66% in)
Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage
Godfrey Crumps’s wife has died. He was helped over his grief by a blessing through the mail from Father Divine. Wanting to be near Father Divine’s Peace Mission, Godfrey moved to Brooklyn along with his daughters, Ernestine and Ermina, seventeen and fifteen, respectively. Soon, the family is joined by their aunt Lily, who has a strong sense of individuality. After a while, Godfrey remarries.
The first few scenes of this play can be read in the preview of Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Other Plays.
Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee (3 Acts)
A teacher in Tennessee is going to trial for teaching evolution. His defence attorney is the famous Henry Drummond, while the prosecutor is the widely-known Bible expert Matthew Harrison Brady. The town is religious, and there is much excitement over the proceedings.
Tartuffe by Moliere (3 Acts)
Orgon is a wealthy Parisian who lives with his family and various other guests. He invites Tartuffe into his home, offering everything he has to the man. He is impressed by Tartuffe’s piety, and wants his daughter to marry him. Other people view Tartuffe as a hypocrite, and his daughter is intent on marrying someone else.
The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka (3 Acts)
Brother Jeroboam, a “beach preacher”– a preacher who doesn’t have a church – relates the events of a memorable day. He manipulates and maintains control over his assistant, Chume, and things come to a head.
J. B. by Archibald Macleish (11 Scenes)
Zuss and Nickels, two circus employees, decide to stage a version of the Biblical story of Job. J.B. and his wife Sarah are a wealthy New England couple with five children. They believe that God will do His part if they do their part. They begin to experience a string of tragedies.
Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot (2 Acts)
Archbiship Becket is returning to England after being exiled for a disagreement with the king over religious involvement in government. News of his return elicits a mixed reaction from the priests and commoners. Becket is visited by four Tempters who entice him to leave the church.
Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka (5 Acts)
Elesin Oba walks through a village market in Nigeria, accompanied by drummers and singers. The women flirt with him. Elesin proclaims his commitment to the duty he must perform. This is his last day of life. The king died a month ago and is to be buried tonight. As the king’s chief horseman, it is Elesin’s duty to kill himself so the king won’t be alone.
The Alchemist by Ben Jonson
The master of the house is away. The butler, Jeremy, is involved in a scheme with Subtle, a swindler. Various guests arrive at the house and they get as much money from them as possible. One of the things they propose is a counterfeiting scheme.
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (9 Acts)
Sister Aloysius is the principal of St. Nicholas School. She has a meeting with Sister James, an eight grade teacher, and asks her to be alert when it comes to Father Flynn and his time alone with the boys.
• Morality Plays •
Everyman by Anonymous (1 Act)
Everyman is being called before God for a reckoning. Everyman seeks others to accompany him on his journey such as Fellowship, Kindred and Goods.
