Abstract: Science play， which has become a key sub-genre of western drama， has a history of four hundred years， within which it has undergone three critical periods of development and evolution that coincide with the three prominent periods in the history of science， and has eventually establisbed itself as a mature drama genre in this process. Science play came into being under the influence of the first scientific revolution， which also facilitated its own first flourishment. The shift of scientific paradigms was the primary concern of science play in this period. The second creative upsurge was brought about by the shock of nuclear physics， and during this period， science play began to engage in an in-depth discussion of concrete scientific issues， which had laid the foundation for the third tide of development of this genre. The third creative peak of science play， which eventually established its key role in western drama， was marked by a confluence of the “two cultures” and a thorough engagement in discussing the various disciplines of modern science.

Key words: science play; scientific paradigm; history of science; nuclear physics