INTRODUCTION The mood of the London-centred British Theatre of the Nineteen Thirties, a 'commercial situation'. Among the types of play then popular in this way, High Comedy does not figure prominently. High Comedy is defined as appealing to the sense of humour through the mind rather than through the emotions; it does not necessarily deal with 'high society', but often casts a searching light on the 'behaviour' of its time. Reasons for including authors selected. The special quality of the Nineteen Thirties, with High Comedy reflecting the end of an era. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).