Satirereconsiders The Entertainment, Political Dissent And Comic Social Commentary Created By Innovative Writers And Directors Since This Theatrical Form Took The Stage In Ancient Athens. From Aristophanes To The 18th-century Plays Of John Gay And Henry Fielding, To The Creations Of Joan Littlewood, Bertolt Brecht, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Erika Mann, Brendan Behan And Dario Fo, Practitioners Of Theatrical Satire Have Prompted Audiences To Laugh At Corruption, Greed, Injustice And Abusive The Theatre These Artists Jested At Prominent Citizens, Scandals And Fashions. In Retrospect It Can Be Seen That Their Topical References, Allegories And Impersonations Also Promoted Intervention In Public Discourse And Events Outside The Theatre, As Satire Extended Its Reach Beyond The Stage Into Society.satirefocuses On Three Exemplary Satiric Plays: The Knightsby Aristophanes, The Beggar's Operaby John Gay And The Hostageby Brendan Behan Under Joan Littlewood's Direction.