89 Theater Scenes for Aggravation

Here’s a list of 89 theater scenes that exemplify the emotion of aggravation. These scenes showcase actors expressing irritation, frustration, or annoyance in various contexts.

89 Theater Scenes for Aggravation

1. “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
   • Scene: Hamlet becomes increasingly aggravated with Gertrude’s quick remarriage.
2. “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams
   • Scene: Tom’s growing aggravation with his mother Amanda’s overbearing nature.
3. “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
   • Scene: Biff’s aggravation over his father Willy’s unrealistic expectations and beliefs.
4. “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry
   • Scene: Walter’s aggravation comes to a boiling point during their family discussions.
5. “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon
   • Scene: Felix’s obsessive nature aggravates Oscar throughout the play.
6. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare
   • Scene: Lysander’s aggravation when Hermia appears to reject him under the influence of the love potion.
7. “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde
   • Scene: Gwendolen’s irritation when Jack lies about his identity.
8. “Top Girls” by Caryl Churchill
   • Scene: The characters express aggravation when discussing their sacrifices for success.
9. “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett
   • Scene: The continual waiting leads to aggravation between Vladimir and Estragon.
10. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller
    • Scene: Proctor’s aggravation when faced with the court’s absurdity.
11. “The Birthday Party” by Harold Pinter
    • Scene: The characters’ interactions escalate into aggravated confrontations.
12. “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward
    • Scene: Charles’s growing aggravation over the return of his first wife as it disrupts his life.
13. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim
    • Scene: Pseudolus struggles with the chaos around him that continually aggravates his plans.
      
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14. “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts
    • Scene: The family’s bickering leads to aggravation about unresolved issues.
15. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard
    • Scene: Characters express their aggravation over their lack of control and purpose.
16. “My Name Is Rachel Corrie” by Rachel Corrie and Alan Rickman
    • Scene: Rachel’s aggravation with societal indifference drives her advocacy.
17. “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling
    • Scene: Moments of levity turn into aggravation as the women navigate personal struggles.
18. “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang
    • Scene: Masha’s arrival aggravates her brother and sister’s lives.
19. “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams
    • Scene: Amanda’s nagging aggravates Tom as he seeks independence.
20. “Little Shop of Horrors” by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
    • Scene: Seymour’s gradual aggravation with his conflicting desires for love and success.
21. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute
    • Scene: Adam’s frustration and aggravation grow as he realizes Evelyn’s manipulations.
22. “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov
    • Scene: Arkadina’s aggravation as she confronts her son’s artistic ambitions.
23. “Wait Until Dark” by Frederick Knott
    • Scene: Susy’s aggravation with the intruders’ manipulation heightens the tension.
24. “The Mouse Trap” by Agatha Christie
    • Scene: The characters’ interactions escalate into an aggravating whodunit scenario.
25. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” by Stephen Sondheim
    • Scene: Todd’s aggravation over his life’s injustices fuels his desire for revenge.
26. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim
    • Scene: The comedic misunderstandings lead to increasing aggravation among characters.
27. “The Maids” by Jean Genet
    • Scene: Claire’s frustration and aggravation with her station in life.
28. “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis
    • Scene: Characters express aggravation over moral dilemmas and betrayal.
29. “The Night of the Iguana” by Tennessee Williams
    • Scene: Characters exhibit aggravation as they confront their life choices.
      
30. “Mother Courage and Her Children” by Bertolt Brecht

• Scene: Mother Courage faces aggravation over the war’s relentless toll on her family and her struggle to maintain her business.

31. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams

• Scene: Maggie’s aggravation with Brick’s emotional distance and her desperation for his affection.

32. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: Elizabeth Proctor’s growing aggravation with John’s dishonesty regarding Abigail.

33. “Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard

• Scene: The overlapping timelines create agitation and aggravation in characters as they seek to understand their lives.

34. “The Seven Deadly Sins” by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill

• Scene: The struggles of the protagonists highlight their daily aggravations amid societal expectations.

35. “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward

• Scene: Ruth’s aggravation with the chaos brought on by the ghost of her husband’s first wife.

36. “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” by Ann-Marie MacDonald

• Scene: Constance’s frustrations and aggravation with her identity lead to significant revelations.

37. “Fences” by August Wilson

• Scene: Troy’s aggravation with his life situation leads to conflicts with his family.

38. “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer

• Scene: The characters express their aggravation with the realities of terminal illness.

39. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute

• Scene: Adam’s mounting aggravation with Evelyn’s manipulative behavior ultimately leads to confrontation.

40. “Rent” by Jonathan Larson

• Scene: The friends’ frustration and aggravation with societal issues and personal struggles come to light.

41. “Equus” by Peter Shaffer

• Scene: Dysart displays aggravation as he tries to understand Alan’s psychological condition.

42. “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Katherina’s aggravation at being forced into wedlock showcases her strong-willed nature.

43. “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre

• Scene: The characters’ frustrations and aggravation breed conflict as they confront their pasts.

44. “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts

• Scene: The family gets aggravated with each other during their heated conversations, revealing buried tensions.

45. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard

• Scene: The existential frustrations lead the titular characters to feelings of aggravation about their roles.

46. “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

• Scene: Jack’s growing aggravation with Algernon’s teasing regarding his fictitious brother.

47. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Oberon’s frustration changes to aggravation as he seizes control of the love potion.

48. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard

• Scene: The absurdity of their situation leads to shared aggravation and comic relief.

49. “The Price” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: The tensions between brothers reveal their ongoing grievances and aggravation.
  
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50. “Enron” by Lucy Prebble

• Scene: Characters’ growing aggravation regarding corporate ethics and deceit.

51. “Boeing-Boeing” by Marc Camoletti

• Scene: Bernard’s comedic aggravation over managing multiple fiancées creates tension.

52. “Shadowlands” by William Nicholson

• Scene: C.S. Lewis’s internal struggle leads to aggravation as he faces grief and love.

53. “Doubt: A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley

• Scene: The confrontation between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn leads to aggravation over secrecy and trust.

54. “The Children’s Hour” by Lillian Hellman

• Scene: The devastating accusations lead to Martha’s feelings of aggravation and defensiveness.

55. “Nora” by Ingmar Bergman (adaptation of “A Doll’s House”)

• Scene: Nora’s aggravation reaches a peak as she confronts Torvald about their marriage.

56. “Angels in America” by Tony Kushner

• Scene: Characters face social and emotional aggravation amid the AIDS crisis.

57. “The Lover” by Harold Pinter

• Scene: The couple’s interaction reveals moments of aggravation regarding power dynamics in their relationship.

58. “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” by Ann-Marie MacDonald

• Scene: Constance’s agitation about her identity leads to moments of aggravation as she navigates her literary journey.

59. “Medea” by Euripides

• Scene: Medea’s emotional turmoil and aggravation over Jason’s betrayal as she contemplates revenge.

60. “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Martin McDonagh

• Scene: Maureen’s mounting aggravation towards her manipulative mother, which sparks conflict.

61. “The Night of the Iguana” by Tennessee Williams

• Scene: Shannon’s increasing aggravation with the circumstances of his life and the people around him.

62. “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard

• Scene: The absurdity of fate evokes feelings of aggravation for the two titular characters.

63. “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Brutus expresses aggravation over the betrayal of his friend in the political upheaval.

64. “King Lear” by William Shakespeare

• Scene: Lear’s aggravation towards Goneril and Regan’s betrayal leads to tragic consequences.

65. “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer

• Scene: The characters’ reflections reveal aggravation and frustration with the reality of their terminal illnesses.

66. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute

• Scene: The dynamic between Adam and Evelyn reveals his aggravation over her controlling nature.

67. “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes

• Scene: The women’s collective frustration and aggravation leads to a bold stance against war.

68. “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward

• Scene: Charles feels aggravated by the chaos caused by the return of his first wife’s spirit.

69. “Good People” by David Lindsay-Abaire

• Scene: Margerie confronts her past with frustration and aggravation over her circumstances.

70. “Doubt: A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley

• Scene: Sister Aloysius’ growing sense of aggravation regarding her suspicions of Father Flynn.

71. “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon

• Scene: Felix’s irritability and aggravation grow due to Oscar’s messy lifestyle.

72. “Blue/Orange” by Joe Penhall

• Scene: The characters navigate mental health issues, leading to aggravation within the hospital context.

73. “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage

• Scene: The friends’ discussions about economic struggles reveal underlying aggravation and resentment.

74. “The Maids” by Jean Genet

• Scene: The two maids express their aggravated feelings towards their lives and role in society.

75. “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis

• Scene: Characters express their aggravation towards faith and identity.

76. “The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh

• Scene: Katurian’s frustration with the implications of his writing leads to moments of aggravation.

77. “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage

• Scene: Esther’s personal struggles reveal her own feelings of aggravation regarding societal constraints.

78. “Wit” by Margaret Edson

• Scene: Vivian confronts the medical staff and her condition, feeling aggravated by her treatment.

79. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” by Stephen Sondheim

• Scene: The comedic misadventures create an atmosphere of amusingly frustrating circumstances.

80. “Morning’s at Seven” by Paul Osborn

• Scene: The sisters exhibit aggravation towards each other during their family reunion.

81. “The Divide” by Alan Ayckbourn

• Scene: Characters confront personal truths, revealing aggravation with their circumstances.

82. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

• Scene: Characters experience myriad forms of aggravation as they navigate the hysteria of witch trials.

83. “The Royal Family” by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber

• Scene: Characters exhibit aggravation over their family dynamics in show business.

84. “Mamma Mia!” by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

• Scene: Characters confront their past decisions, leading to moments of humorous aggravation.

85. “How I Learned to Drive” by Paula Vogel

• Scene: The protagonist deals with feelings of aggravation regarding her family and relationships.

86. “Matilda the Musical” by Tim Minchin

• Scene: Matilda faces aggravation with her neglectful parents and finds solace in her imagination.

87. “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen

• Scene: Dr. Stockmann’s frustration and aggravation grow as he faces community backlash for his revelations about the water supply.

88. “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute

• Scene: Adam’s mounting aggravation at Evelyn’s manipulation of their relationship leads to dramatic confrontations.

89. “The Children’s Hour” by Lillian Hellman

• Scene: Karen’s emotional distress and aggravation over the false accusations that threaten her career and personal life.
  
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Conclusion

This list of 89 theater scenes captures the theme of aggravation, illustrating how characters deal with irritation, frustration, and annoyance in various contexts. These scenes provide rich opportunities for actors to explore this important emotion, showcasing how it affects relationships, perceptions, and choices within the narrative of the play. Through the lens of aggravation, the depth of human emotion and the complexities of personal and interpersonal conflict are brought to life on stage.