“Fences” by August Wilson was first performed in 1983. It is the sixth play written by this highly acclaimed American playwright.
The play is set in the 1950s. The play is the part of the ten-part Pittsburgh Cycle written by August Wilson.
Similar to the other plays written by the playwright, “Fence” also explores the themes of race-relations, evolving African-American experiences, etc.
“Fences” received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama in the year 1987. In the same year, it was also given Tony Award for Best Play. The pay was highly acclaimed by critics, reviewers, and audiences.
It is noticeable that “Fences” collected $11 million in the first year of its production. It is a record amount for a non-musical play. The play eventually went on to win four Tony Awards.
The play is said to have greatly impacted popular theatre. The success of this play proved that the people did not only want to watch popular musicals and comedies but also serious plays which deal with social, racial, and cultural problems of the contemporary period.
Since the play includes three generations of African-American men, critics often call it a ‘generational play. The three generations in the play are Troy Maxson, Troy’s father, and his son.
Father and son theme is highly significant in the play. It has been performed in several foreign countries, even in China. It shows the thematic power of the play across cultures.
The play is often prescribed to the students of literature in school and colleges around the world. It is a widely discussed play in the academic circles around the world.