7 Plays That are Funny: The Best Humorous Plays to Read for a Laugh

1. The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde wrote one of his most humorous plays in the 1890s. The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy about couples that remains one of the most popular comedy plays ever written. It shows just how ridiculous some people’s standards are when it comes to relationships. Some don’t care about personality and value other unimportant aspects instead. The story contains many different plays on words, which keep the characters confused and the audience entertained. You can find the full text for free at Project Gutenberg.

2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

There could be an entire article dedicated to Shakespeare's greatest comedies, but I'll only involve one. Of course, that's no reason to skip his other great works such as Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, and All's Well That Ends Well. Although William Shakespeare has written tons of amazing comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the best. It contains love, magic, and animals. There’s even a play within the play, which helps the audience relate to the characters. The mishaps that occur show how interchangeable men and women can be. In this play, love blossoms quickly and arbitrarily. For more on the Bard, check out the Folger Shakespeare Library.

3. Private Lives

In 1930, Noël Coward wrote this play about a divorced couple. Both of them are on their honeymoons with their new partners, and they end up staying in the same hotel in adjacent rooms. You’d expect them to have a blowout, but instead, they reconnect in the most unexpected way. This is a classic example of how plays that are funny often rely on awkward social situations. The play is composed of three acts, each of which is captivating. You won’t be able to stop reading once you begin. If you enjoy classic books and sharp wit, this is for you.

4. Tartuffe

Tartuffe was written by Molière in 1664. It’s a theatrical comedy about a deceptive man. He tricks the main character into believing that he is trustworthy and gets his way for the majority of the play. This is definitely one of the more weird plays on the list due to its biting religious satire of the time. Will he get away with his plans or get what he deserves? Read this classical story to find out. Molière's work is essential for anyone interested in the history of modern literature and drama.

5. The School for Scandal

Richard Brinsley Sheridan created The School for Scandal in 1777. It pokes fun at the upper classes by using stereotypes of the rich. There are several main characters and many different events that occur. As long as you can keep up with everything that happens, you should enjoy this play. It’s a funny or amusing play that still feels relevant today with our current obsession with celebrity gossip.

6. The 39 Steps

This play was adapted from novels written in the early 1900s and famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock. When it was first performed as a play, it only contained four actors, although there were dozens of characters. Each actor would play multiple parts, which showed off their versatility. The play received an Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, and two Tony Awards. If that doesn’t make you want to read it, what will? You can learn more about the current productions on the official 39 Steps website.

7. La Bête

David Hirson wrote La Bête in 1991. If you enjoy poetry, you’ll love reading this play. It’s written in rhyme to give it a poetic feel. Molière (who is mentioned earlier) inspired the story to be written. It takes place in France and revolves around the head of the royal court. This is a great modern addition to any list of humorous plays.

Plays can be just as enjoyable when they’re read as when they’re watched. They offer a fast-paced alternative to novels and allow you to dive deep into character dialogue. Have you read any of these plays before? Did you enjoy them?