Mrs Warren's Profession. To 31 March.

Nottingham

MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION
by Bernard Shaw

Nottingham Playhouse To 31 March 2007
Tue-Sat 7.45pm. Mat 24 March 2.30pm & 29th March 1.30pm
Audio-described 27, 28 March
BSL Signed 30 March
Runs 2hr 25min. One interval

TICKETS: 0115 9419419
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell 14 March 2007

Once-shocking drama keeps its relevance in well-acted revival.
Mrs Warren’s Profession is no longer the shocking piece of theatre it once was - the idea of a madam in charge of a chain of brothels across Europe is almost quaint these days. What remain relevant are the political arguments that Bernard Shaw addresses about poverty and prostitution, morality and capitalism. Shaw's play claims that women turned to prostitution as better than the alternatives, some managing to gain respectability as has Mrs Warren’s sister.

Neil Murray’s simple set provides an uncluttered backdrop for the complexity of the emotional and verbal wrangling taking place on the stage, in this co-production with Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre.

Paola Dionisotti takes the lead role Mrs Warren, sharp and successful - a beautiful portrayal of the strong, flamboyant character. She inspires no sympathy, nor demands any. No apologies are made for her behaviour – she just tells it like it is. She is clearly proud of the success she has made out of her business and the fact she has been able to give her daughter the upbringing she has.

And there lies the problem. The independent and modern thinking daughter, Vivie, whilst coming to terms with the fact her mother turned to prostitution to escape poverty, cannot forgive her continuing involvement in the profession. The parallels between the two characters are evident. Emma Stansfield’s vivid interpretation of Vivie demonstrates both her naivety and her single-mindedness perfectly.

Dougal Lee as Sir Richard Croft – Mrs Warren’s business partner – is a slimy character and his revelation to Vivie about her mother’s business affairs is delivered with threatening, controlled malice. Rejected by Vivie, any pretence at chivalry dissipates. It is he who proclaims the message of the piece: that all capitalism is based on exploitation in one form or another.

The young Frank Gardner (Antony Eden) is shown as an energetic and callow youth but is played with just the right measure of both. John Bett is accomplished as Mr Praed, Mrs Warren’s confidant, as he tries to support both mother and daughter through their trials.

The strength of the direction and the acting explores and reveals all the nuances of the piece; although the subject matter may seem outdated, the arguments it raises are still relevant to modern audiences.

Mrs Warren: Paola Dionisotti
Vivie: Emma Stansfield
Rev Samuel Gardner: Richard Addison
Mr Praed: John Bett
Frank Gardner: Antony Eden
Sir George Crofts: Dougal Lee

Director: Tony Cownie
Designer: Neil Murray
Lighting: Malcolm Rippeth

2007-03-17 09:45:25