Elizabeth Ashley brings Mrs. Warren to town

A guest review from Eric H.—
The Shakespeare Theater Company’s current play, Mrs. Warren's Profession, is well worth seeing. The acting is good, but that’s usually the case with the STC. The set is better than average, in an understated way. And George Bernard Shaw’s dialog is fun and witty. But what really stands out is the story’s moral.

In short, the play asks the audience to look at the source of its blessings before blindly accepting them. Is it sufficient that you have not done something immoral, if you are benefiting from the immoral acts of others? Despite the heavy themes, the play is funny and enjoyable. It alternates smoothly between humorous and serious dialog, likeable and despicable characters, large social issues and intimate family relationships.

The story is about mother who raised her daughter as best she could, resulting in a daughter who might not approve of her mother. Most of the play is set on the grounds of a diminutive English country cottage. The bucolic illusion is made complete by the changing colors in the sky. A careful eye will notice distant lightning, leading to a down pour in the final scene.

The characters enter one by one, each displaying his or her own peculiarities as if to give the audience time to make their acquaintance. The somewhat predictable humor surrounding the social inconvenience of Mrs. Warren’s profession is made fresh by good acting and entertaining characters. The potentially ponderous moral theme insinuates itself subtly in the play before taking the forefront of the action toward the play's conclusion.

It seems like an obvious set up for grade-B Hollywood comedy, but I couldn’t think of any films that arose to the challenge. You’ll have to go to the theater to enjoy this one.