Theatre Review: Mrs Warren's Profession | Pentameters | Victorian feminism | Michael Friend | 1893 | George Bernard Shaw | Dot Smith | "Oldest profession in the world" | Emily Holden

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The Review - THEATRE by EMILY ORGAN
Published: 21 May 2009

Shaw’s healthy dose of Victorian feminism

MRS WARRENS' PROFESSION
Pentameters

WRITTEN in 1893, Bernard Shaw’s play sparked controversy by tackling women’s inequality and corruption in Victorian society. In director Michael Friend’s production Shaw’s observations have lost none of their relevance.
At the play’s heart is the fraught relationship between mother, Kitty Warren (Dot Smith), and daughter, Vivie Warren (Emily Holden). Vivie is the epitome of the modern woman: proud, ambitious, moral and independent. By contrast, her unmarried mother has made her living from the “oldest profession in the world”.
The two central exchanges between mother and daughter raise many questions, though not necessarily answers, about the emancipation of women, working mothers and the importance of money in society.
The two female leads are particularly strong in this excellent production with Emily Holden outstanding as the daughter. Dot Smith is convincing as a self-made woman, refusing to be ashamed of who she is; her quiet dignity is moving, although her emotional outbursts are slightly less assured.
Max Davis’s Frank Gardner has a Bertie Woosterish buffoonery, but also conveys a degree of honour and compassion, while Praed (Chris Bearne) wears an air of baffled bemusement reminiscent of Stan Laurel.
The costumes (apart from the shoes) are spot-on and the performances from the entire cast are strong. In Ms Holden there is a talented young actress who could grace any stage in the land.
As a commentary on our times, the play has many resonances.
As Sir George Crofts puts it: “If you are going to pick and choose your friends and acquaintances on moral grounds you’d better clear out of this country.” Quite.
Until May 30
020 7435 3648

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