Mrs Warren's Profession Tickets

George Bernard Shaw's play Mrs Warren's Profession caused a scandal when it was first performed. Now it's back, starring the four-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton and her daughter Bessie Carter. Make your way to the Garrick Theatre to see what all the fuss is about. This is their first collaboration on the stage, a powerful production that brings new life to Shaw’s shocking early 1900s masterpiece.

Mrs Warren's Profession the story

It's hard to believe Shaw's character was created so long ago, not far short of 125 years in the past. Vivie Warren is a woman who is way ahead of her times. She doesn't talk to her wealthy mother. She loves a tipple, particularly a glass or two of whisky. She revels in crime fiction and is determined to succeed at a career in the law. The only thing is, Vivie lives in a world ruled by men.

Vivie's mother, Mrs. Warren, is an ex-prostitute who still owns a successful brothel. When Vivie comes home, having graduated from university, she finally begins to get acquainted with her mother for the first time. Their relationship changes when Vivie discovers what her mother does for a living. The play reveals why Mrs. Warren became a prostitute, condemns the hypocrisies around the world's oldest profession, and criticises the limited opportunities given to women in Victorian Britain.

About Mrs Warren's Profession

George Bernard Shaw wrote this play “to draw attention to the truth that prostitution is caused, not by female depravity and male licentiousness, but simply by underpaying, undervaluing and overworking women so shamefully that the poorest of them are forced to resort to prostitution to keep body and soul together."

Once banned for criticising the hypocrisy of society, this is a powerful exploration of power, poverty, and personal freedom. Wicked humour and fiery debates create a drama that's just as relevant today as it ever was.

First performed in 1902, it was revived in 2010 at the Comedy Theatre starring Felicity Kendal. It has been staged abroad and at home numerous times including a production on Broadway and another Off-Broadway. The Sydney Theatre Company staged it in 2012, such a popular season it as extended. It has played in Seattle, in New Zealand and at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and went on a UK tour in 2023. This is the latest version of a story that never grows old.

Mrs Warren's Profession creatives

The play is written by George Bernard Shaw and Directed by Dominic Cooke with design by Chloe Lamford and casting by Amy Ball.

Mrs Warren's Profession offers audiences a bold exploration of gender roles, societal hypocrisy, and the limitations placed on women in a patriarchal society. Be prepared for a timeless play that is both thought provoking and deeply engaging.