Known as Shaw's Corner, the former home of Bernard and Charlotte Shaw is now owned by the National Trust. Both of the famed departed residents had their ashes placed in the home's magnificent gardens.
On Saturday, I and about 300 other audience members sat on the lawn behind the house to watch the theatre company Shaw2020 perform Shaw's early drama Mrs. Warren's Profession in conjunction with the Shaw Society.
Prior to the performance, the Shaw Society held a fundraiser at the old Palladian Church in Ayot St Lawrence, just a short walk from Shaw's Corner. The Society's distinguished Vice President, Siân Phillips, was interviewed and there was a reception in honor of Shaw's birthday (which was actually on Friday, July 26th).
I got to speak with Dame Phillips, who is perfectly delightful. We discussed Shaw's play John Bull's Other Island, which really ought to be performed more often. She also stayed to watch the production of Mrs. Warren's Profession, which was directed by Jonas Cemm, who also played the villain of the piece, Sir George Crofts.
The staging was quite well done, and I had no trouble hearing the actors, in spite of the fact that they were performing outdoors. Laura Fitzpatrick played Mrs. Warren in a manner that never let you forget her working-class roots, in spite of how much wealth she had acquired. Bethany Blake was absolutely charming as her daughter Vivie.
If you're in the U.K., the production will continue to tour, and is playing at the Theatre at the Tabard in London until August 9th.
