Review: Mrs Warren’s Profession, Theatre Royal Bath – ‘The play requires a depth of commitment that it just doesn’t deliver’

Mrs Warren’s Profession is one of George Bernard Shaw’s ‘problem’ plays. Written 130 years ago, it addresses an economic and moral dilemma that still faces many women today – how to support themselves independently without resorting to selling themselves to men, either in the form of straightforward prostitution or financially imbalanced marriage.

Kitty Warren has earned her fortune by providing sexual favours, at first in person and later as the joint owner of a number of brothels. The money she has amassed pays for her daughter Vivie’s upbringing and education – in her absence – and now she intends to forge a relationship with Vivie, who has excelled at university and is about to emerge as a  ‘new woman’ with choices and self-respect.

During the course of five days, Vivie receives offers of marriage from two men. One is rich one is poor; both are misguidedly confident that she will accept them, but she chooses neither, once she has finally understood what her mother did to fund her life til this point.

Mrs Warren’s Profession – Rose Quentin as Vivie Warren, Peter Losasso as Frank Gardner – photo: Pamela Raith

The play deals with the ambiguity of parent-child relationships, moral hypocrisy and Shaw’s familiar message, which is that taking a principled stance on anything conveniently ignores the capitalism which underpins a functioning society.

In a series of expositional exchanges, we learn about why Kitty made her decision to earn her living that way, and why she now wants to have a relationship with Vivie.

We are also presented, in the form of Praed, with the basic tension between an appreciation of creativity and the financial pragmatism which prevents many people from pursuing it as a career.

Peter Losasso as Frank Gardner, Matthew Cottle as Reverend Sam Gardner – photo: Pamela Raith

The play is witty and insightful, and requires a depth of commitment that this production just doesn’t deliver.

Casting a real life well-known mother/daughter pairing to play the ageing brothel owner and her Cambridge-graduate child might seem like a good idea – but in this case it really isn’t.

Caroline Quentin and Rose Quentin simply do not have the vocal or emotional range to give this play the gravitas it demands. When the most devastating line – ‘Who will look after me when I am old?’ gets a big laugh, you know something has gone dreadfully wrong.

Caroline Quentin as Mrs Kitty Warren, Simon Shepherd as Sir George Crofts – photo: Pamela Raith

Thank goodness for Peter Losasso and Matthew Cottle, whose relationship is credible and who both play the period style with relaxed subtlety. Simon Shepherd is similarly comfortable with the style of Shaw’s writing and creates a sleazy character whose fundamental ideology is completely understandable.

David Woodhead’s expressionist set recalls recent Edwardian plays receiving fashionable revivals, and Lisa Aitken has provided an impressive wardrobe.

This play is worth reviving because it is still relevant – but it isn’t a comedy, it is political satire and that doesn’t need to be played for laughs.

Caroline Quentin as Mrs Kitty Warren – photo: Pamela Raith

Mrs Warren’s Profession is at Theatre Royal Bath from November 9-19 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are available at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.

Main photo: Pamela Raith

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