Mrs Warren's Profession

SHAW2020 present: MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION By Bernard Shaw

Award-winning theatre company SHAW2020 explore the theatre and writings of Bernard Shaw, bringing his works including those of his contemporaries and those he influenced to a wider, more diverse audience.

Mrs Warren’s Profession is a provocative play written by the renowned Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. Premiered in 1893 but banned for its controversial subject matter, the play explores societal norms and challenges the prevailing moral attitudes of its time. The play delves into the complex relationship between a mother, Mrs. Kitty Warren, and her daughter, Vivie, as they grapple with issues of morality, social expectations, and the economic constraints faced by women in the Victorian era. Shaw’s sharp, witty observations and biting, social commentary make Mrs Warren’s Profession a thought-provoking classic that is decades ahead of its time.

SHAW2020, winners of a London Pub Theatres ‘Standing Ovation’ award in 2021 and ‘Best Show’ at the Birmingham Fringe Festival in 2022 for their production of Shaw’s Village Wooing, have updated the timeline of Mrs Warren’s Profession, delivering a fresh perspective to Shaw’s classic work by bringing the action forward slightly to the 1930s. An era where women continued to struggle against a patriarchal, capitalist society, offset with a sense of twentieth-century empowerment on the horizon.

This production is sponsored by the Shaw Society, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting the legacy and appreciation of George Bernard Shaw’s contributions to literature and theatre. The collaboration between SHAW2020 and the Shaw Society underscores their commitment to keeping Shaw’s legacy alive and engaging modern audiences with the enduring themes embedded in his work.

“It’s wonderful to see Shaw’s plays being kept alive, and to such a high standard by SHAW2020. Long may they continue.” - Dame Judi Dench, Honorary Vice-President of The Shaw Society

Past reviews:

“It’s exciting that a fresh, young and vibrant theatre company like SHAW2020 are bringing us Shaw’s plays in new and creative ways.” - The Reviews Hub 2019

“Powerfully evokes a sense of the era” - London Pub Theatres Magazine 2021

“The direction is spot-on, producing a broad comedy with an underlying thread of vulnerability and truth.” - North West End UK 2021

“SHAW2020’s take on the text emphasises the modernity of this play… while still feeling true to its 1933 setting” - Cambridge Edition 2022

“A touch of class…featuring winning performances” - The Reviews Hub 2022