Mrs Warren’s Profession
Mrs Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw follows a mother and daughter over a few days wherein their relationship grows closer and then becomes completely severed. The title of the show refers to the mother's livelihood relying on the exploitation of women in brothels across Europe, a morally complex choice as she spent many years working her way out of poverty through her own prostitution. Her relationship to her daughter is strained because of distance, so upon learning of her mother's past on a visit home daughter Vivie softens to her mother, only to then refuse the relationship upon learning her mother's fortune comes from the furthered exploitation.
This production stars Imelda Staunton and real-life daughter Bessie Carter, who both do an incredible job at portraying such a complex relationship with their personal layered connection.
What I liked
I was surprised by the subject matter of this play came into focus, as it was far more progressive than I expected it to be given its age. Sex work is still stigmatised 200 years after the publication of this play, yet it proposes a nuanced conversation about agency, power, and exploitation. Both the Warren women are extremely complex, and the added layer of being portrayed by a real mother and daughter brought even more to the bubbling tension.
Staunton and Carter were both absolutely incredible, as were the rest of the cast. I felt very lucky to be able to see this production and watch Staunton in person, to appreciate her skill and long incredible career. It was also exciting to see Carter because, despite her very successful career as well, I only knew her from Bridgerton and this, though similar in era, was far more impressive.
The set design was very interesting as well, and I enjoyed the symbolism of the stage getting more and more stripped away as the secrets between mother and daughter revealed. This process of stripping away was enacted by an ensemble of women in white undergarments, which were especially impactful once the nature of the mother's profession was revealed, but prior was a bit confusing (though still undeniably haunting).
What wasn’t my favourite
My only reservation about this production is that the line delivery is not very naturalistic. I understand that this kind of writing is very declarative and invites the tone of performance where everything is emphasised with great clarity, but it definitely takes some getting used to. It reminded me of the recent Importance of Being Earnest from the National Theatre that I saw, but lacked the absurdity in story that felt more appropriate to the delivery style.
Overall
I greatly enjoyed this production, and happened to be there on the day of recording so encourage others to see it when/if it becomes available. I think this play is ever-evolving and its growing relevance is definitely worth a place at the forefront of modern discussions regarding agency in sex work in a digital age.
