If you're looking for a quick, punchy play that makes you think, Georg Kaiser's 'The Coral' from 1917 is a fantastic choice. It's the first part of his famous 'Gas' trilogy, but it stands completely on its own as a sharp critique of society and the human soul.

The Story

The Billionaire has everything money can buy, but he's tormented by the memory of his own poverty-stricken youth. His solution is bizarre: he employs a destitute man who looks exactly like him to be his public double. This double, called the Secretary, handles all business and social duties. The Billionaire himself retreats to a life of curated peace on his yacht, surrounded by his family in a world he calls 'the coral'—a beautiful but dead artifact. This perfect setup begins to crack when his idealistic son discovers the truth and rebels against his father's manufactured reality.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how current it feels. The Billionaire's attempt to 'curate' his life and outsource his pain is something we can all understand in the age of social media and personal branding. Kaiser doesn't give us easy heroes or villains. The Billionaire is sympathetic in his suffering, but his cure is monstrous. His son's rage is righteous, but also naive. The play moves at a breakneck speed, using stark, almost cinematic scenes to ask if we can ever truly escape ourselves.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love psychological dramas, classic theatre with a modern edge, or anyone who's ever questioned the gap between their inner self and their public face. It's short, intense, and the kind of story that sticks with you, making you look at the 'coral' in your own life. Don't let the 1917 publication date fool you—this play has a lot to say to us today.