Plays George Bernard Shaw

1 plays

1.1 works
1.2 1900–1909
1.3 1910–1919
1.4 1920–1950

plays

shaw published collected edition of plays in 1934, comprising forty-two works. wrote further twelve in remaining sixteen years of life, one-act pieces. including 8 earlier plays chose omit published works, total sixty-two.

early works

shaw s first 3 full-length plays dealt social issues. later grouped them plays unpleasant . widower s houses (1892) concerns landlords of slum properties, , introduces first of shaw s new women—a recurring feature of later plays. philanderer (1893) develops theme of new woman, draws on ibsen, , has elements of shaw s personal relationships, character of julia being based on jenny patterson. in 2003 study judith evans describes mrs warren s profession (1893) undoubtedly challenging of 3 plays unpleasant, taking mrs warren s profession—prostitute and, later, brothel-owner—as metaphor prostituted society.

shaw followed first trilogy second, published plays pleasant . arms , man (1894) conceals beneath mock-ruritanian comic romance fabian parable contrasting impractical idealism pragmatic socialism. central theme of candida (1894) woman s choice between 2 men; play contrasts outlook , aspirations of christian socialist , poetic idealist. third of pleasant group, never can tell (1896), portrays social mobility, , gap between generations, particularly in how approach social relations in general , mating in particular.

the 3 plays puritans —comprising devil s disciple (1896), caesar , cleopatra (1898) , captain brassbound s conversion (1899)—all centre on questions of empire , imperialism, major topic of political discourse in 1890s. 3 set, respectively, in 1770s america, ancient egypt, , 1890s morocco. gadfly, adaptation of popular novel ethel voynich, unfinished , unperformed. man of destiny (1895) short curtain raiser napoleon.

1900–1909

shaw s major plays of first decade of twentieth century address individual social, political or ethical issues. man , superman (1902) stands apart others in both subject , treatment, giving shaw s interpretation of creative evolution in combination of drama , associated printed text. admirable bashville (1901), blank verse dramatisation of shaw s novel cashel byron s profession, focuses on imperial relationship between britain , africa. john bull s other island (1904), comically depicting prevailing relationship between britain , ireland, popular @ time fell out of general repertoire in later years. major barbara (1905) presents ethical questions in unconventional way, confounding expectations in depiction of armaments manufacturer on 1 hand , salvation army on other moral high ground must invariably held latter. doctor s dilemma (1906), play medical ethics , moral choices in allocating scarce treatment, described shaw tragedy. reputation presenting characters did not resemble real flesh , blood, challenged archer present on-stage death, , here did so, deathbed scene anti-hero.

getting married (1908) , misalliance (1909)—the latter seen judith evans companion piece former—are both in shaw called disquisitionary vein, emphasis on discussion of ideas rather on dramatic events or vivid characterisation. shaw wrote 7 short plays during decade; comedies, ranging deliberately absurd passion, poison, , petrifaction (1905) satirical press cuttings (1909).

1910–1919

in decade 1910 aftermath of first world war shaw wrote 4 full-length plays, third , fourth of among staged works. fanny s first play (1911) continues earlier examinations of middle-class british society fabian viewpoint, additional touches of melodrama , epilogue in theatre critics discuss play. androcles , lion (1912), shaw began writing play children, became study of nature of religion , how put christian precepts practice. pygmalion (1912) shavian study of language , speech , importance in society , in personal relationships. correct impression left original performers play portrayed romantic relationship between 2 main characters shaw rewrote ending make clear heroine marry another, minor character. shaw s full-length play war years heartbreak house (1917), in words depicts cultured, leisured europe before war drifting towards disaster. shaw named shakespeare (king lear) , chekhov (the cherry orchard) important influences on piece, , critics have found elements drawing on congreve (the way of world) , ibsen (the master builder).

the short plays range genial historical drama in dark lady of sonnets , great catherine (1910 , 1913) study of polygamy in overruled; 3 satirical works war (the inca of perusalem, o flaherty v.c. , augustus bit, 1915–16); piece shaw called utter nonsense (the music cure, 1914) , brief sketch bolshevik empress (annajanska, 1917).

1920–1950

saint joan (1923) drew widespread praise both shaw , sybil thorndike, whom wrote title role , created part in britain. in view of commentator nicholas grene, shaw s joan, no-nonsense mystic, protestant , nationalist before time among 20th century s classic leading female roles. apple cart (1929), shaw s last popular success. gave both play , successor, true (1931), subtitle political extravaganza , although 2 works differ in themes; first presents politics of nation (with brief royal love-scene interlude) , second, in judith evans s words, concerned social mores of individual, , nebulous. shaw s plays of 1930s written in shadow of worsening national , international political events. once again, on rocks (1933) , simpleton of unexpected isles (1934), political comedy clear plot followed introspective drama. first play portrays british prime minister considering, rejecting, establishment of dictatorship; second concerned polygamy , eugenics , ends day of judgement.

the millionairess (1934) farcical depiction of commercial , social affairs of successful businesswoman. geneva (1936) lampoons feebleness of league of nations compared dictators of europe. in king charles s golden days (1939), described weintraub warm, discursive high comedy, depicts authoritarianism, less satirically geneva. in earlier decades, shorter plays comedies, historical , others addressing various political , social preoccupations of author. ervine writes of shaw s later work although still astonishingly vigorous , vivacious showed unmistakable signs of age. best of work in period, however, full of wisdom , beauty of mind displayed old men keep wits them.

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