Mrs Warren’s Profession is yet another very polished production by Castle Hill Players and highly recommended viewing. Written by George Bernard Shaw in 1893 it was banned in 1894 for 30 years by the then-official theatre censor Lord Chamberlain. It did have a private production in 1902 but did not appear publicly till 1925. Shaw went against many of his contemporary writers having strong female characters from across the social and economic classes at the centre of his most well know plays. His writing demonstrates his belief in equality of the genders and the disgraceful treatment of the poor by the upper classes perpetuating their lack of choice and thus trapping them in their situation.
Having completed university as an extremely bright mathematics student Vivie Warren is called home to see her businesswoman mother Mrs “Kitty” Warren. Neither know each other well, Vivie having spent much of her life in expensive boarding schools and Kitty travelling Europe overseeing several “hotels” run with her business partner Sir George Crofts. When Vivie discovers what her mother does and why, their relationship changes forever, and they must both find a way forward.
Director Steve Rowe has assembled an extremely fine group of actors for this production. Daisy Alexis is excellent as the modern, independent, privileged young woman whose world is suddenly shattered, and we follow her intently as she faces each new challenge.
Paula Searle prances on stage as the confident rich businesswoman yet later we see a completely different side of her as the tough battler who has survived and fought her way from up from the lower class.
Accompanying Kitty is her business partner Sir George Crofts played by Christopher Clark who is suitably dapper and arrogant, and it is only later we see his well-hidden lecherous side appear.
Also at the gathering are Frank Gardner a hopeful beau played with suitably boyish enthusiasm, right down to the hair tosses by Jem Rowe. His dour minister father the Rev. Samuel Gardner is played with lots of gloom by Jeremy Johnson and only later do we learn of his shady past.
The final character is Praed, a family friend and rather debonair artistic fellow played most elegantly by Dave Went.
The large technical and support crew including lighting director Madhavi Shankarling, sound design George Cartledge and costume design and coordination by Leone Sharp lift this production and allow the best of the lovely country sets designed Marueen Cartledge.
The moral dilemmas presented become more complex as the play progresses and we are drawn with the lyrical clever script. Playing at Pavilion Theatre, Castle Hill Showground till 17 August. A great night’s entertainment.
Photos: Chris Lundie.
