On April 19th, 1947, Dürrenmatt’s first play, »It is Written«, premiered at the Schauspielhaus, Zurich. It was a calamity, and the audience whistled so loudly that the police had to intervene. Nevertheless, the author, 26 years of age at the time, went on to achieve world fame and attract an audience of millions as a dramatist. »Romulus The Great«, »The Visit«, »The Physicists« and many more remain among the most performed plays on the German stage to this day, as well as being (beloved!) school reading and »universally renowned, modern myths« (Le Monde, Paris). This edition features all plays with detailed references to performance and publication history, as well as a chronicle of Dürrenmatt’s life and work.