Can centuries-old plays really promise relevance to today’s very modern theatregoers? Jo Caruana finds out, as she chats to leading lady Isabel Warrington about Mrs Warren’s Profession.
I am always amazed by a play that can transcend eras. In our fast-changing world, any one thing that can go the distance and still feel anything but obsolete is instantly impressive.
Of course, many playwrights have proven their knack for weaving on-going relevancy through their works. Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde and, of course, William Shakespeare, all spring to mind for their abilities to live on through their words and chosen themes.
But what about George Bernard Shaw, the 19th-century writer who penned more than 60 plays and shed light on countless social issues?
“He manages to be extremely relevant today,” says actress Isabel Warrington, who will be playing the title role in Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Manoel Theatre next month.
“I loved the script the second I read it, and think it is very strong, despite being written over a century ago.”
Forming part of the Malta Amateur Dramatic Club’s current season, the play will likely be a popular choice with the company’s traditional audiences – but won’t stop there.
“I think it has wide appeal,” continues Warrington, who recently completed a run as Rose in the popular TV comedy spin-off, Keeping Up Appearances, staged by MellowDrama.
“It was very shocking when it was first performed and Bernard Shaw was arguably a visionary for his day. He shed light on quite an ugly angle of human nature through this script and showcased what opportunists we are at heart.”
The play certainly caused plenty of controversy in the early 1900s, when it was banned by the Lord Chamberlain, Britain’s official theatre censor, for its frank discussion and portrayal of prostitution.
Today, though, it slots nicely into the MADC’s season, which includes the recent Osama The Hero, and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night later on in the year.
In a nutshell, the script presents the very flawed character of Mrs Warren, a woman who’s worked her way up from a disadvantaged background by turning to prostitution and, later, running brothels.
“She’s made a very good go of it,” continues Warrington. “Women back then had so few options open to them and I think Bernard Shaw wanted to put a mirror up to that. She and her sister were essentially running their own business, with high-class brothels in different parts of Europe, and were rolling in it. It’s a bit unorthodox, but it’s worked for her and she’s largely proud of what she’s achieved.”
Warrington says she is a feminist playing a feminist. “I’ve always been completely in favour of women having the same value as men. I don’t think we’re 100 per cent there yet, but we’re well on our way.
“It is so interesting to play this woman who didn’t have it as good, or as easy, as the men around her; it sheds new light on what we have to be proud of. Back then, women were meant to be seen and not heard, and were often simply used as accessories to the men in their life.
“Of course, Mrs Warren challenges that, which makes her such a pleasure to play, especially as it would have raised all kinds of eyebrows when it was first shown. Bernard Shaw did extremely well; he’s spot on in his portray of both female characters in the show. In fact, it is the men who don’t end up looking so good.”
The rest of the cast comprises a blend of local industry veterans and new faces. Simone Spiteri plays Vivie, the now-grown daughter that Mrs Warren is belatedly trying to build a relationship with, while Barry Calvert is her sleazy business partner Crofts. Andrew Galea, Colin Willis and Chris Hudson make up the rest of the six-hander, while Joyce Grech has been handling its direction.
“It is perfectly cast and promises to be something a little different,” adds Warrington. “There’s a lot to keep audiences entertained, from the brilliance of the script to the touches of comedy that ensure a level of wit is thread throughout. And, of course, it is very, very relevant.
“It’s certainly a personal challenge to play such a composite character in such a complex piece, but its one that I am very much looking forward to.”
Mrs Warren’s Profession will run at the Manoel Theatre on April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Booking from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.