The Theatre Royal Bath production of Mrs Warren’s Profession, starring Felicity Kendal, is to transfer to the West End’s Comedy theatre from 16 March (press night 25 March).
George Bernard Shaw’s provocative play examines the hypocrisy and constrained morals of Victorian society through a mother-daughter relationship. Vivie has never really known much about her mother. A prim young woman, she has enjoyed a comfortable upbringing, a Cambridge education, a generous monthly allowance and now has ambitions to go into the law. But Vivie is soon to discover that the life of privilege and respectability has been financed by her mother’s ill-gotten gains.
Though written in 1894, Mrs Warren’s Profession was banned from public performance until the 1920s, with a 1905 New York production resulting in the entire company being arrested.
Kendal was last seen on the London stage in Simon Gray’s memoir, The Last Cigarette. Her many recent London stage outings include The Vortex, Amy’s View and Happy Days, while she is also well-known for her television work which includes Rosemary And Thyme, Honey For Tea and The Good Life.
The cast of Michael Rudman’s production also includes Lucy Briggs-Owen as Vivie, Mark Tandy, David Yelland, Eric Carte and Max Bennett.
Mrs Warren’s Profession comes to the West End following a UK tour which visited Richmond theatre in November.
The Comedy theatre currently hosts Thea Sharrock’s production of Moliere’s The Misanthrope, which stars Keira Knightley and Damian Lewis and runs until 13 March.
CB