Showing results by author "George Shaw" in All Categories

This witty masterpiece combines high comedy with social commentary as it deflates romantic misconceptions of love and warfare. First produced on the London stage in 1894, Arms and the Man is one of the most frequently acted and studied of Shaw's plays.

The action of this play, which occurs during a conflict on the Balkans, is initiated by the discovery by Raina, the daughter of an military officer, of a man who has taken refuge in her bedroom. Unfortunately, the man belongs to the opposing army. How will she deal with a notional enemy who behaves with such quixotic courtesy?

Henry Higgins, un profesor de fonética arrogante, apuesta que puede transformar a Eliza Doolittle, una vendedora de flores de baja clase con un acento grueso, en una dama de la alta sociedad mediante el refinamiento de su habla. A medida que Eliza se somete a esta metamorfosis, la obra despliega un agudo comentario sobre las rígidas estructuras de clase y el poder del lenguaje.

To celebrate Radio 3's 50th anniversary, Man and Superman was directed by Sir Peter Hall, and preserved for all time in this lush audio dramatization. "A comedy and a philosophy", Man and Superman is based on the Don Juan theme, and using all the elements from Mozart's Don Giovanni, Shaw reordered them so that Don Juan becomes the quarry instead of the huntsman. Boasting an outstanding cast including Ralph Fiennes, Juliet Stevenson, Dame Judi Dench, John Wood, Nicholas Le Prevost, and Paul Merton.

Caesar and Cleopatra, a captivating play penned by George Bernard Shaw in 1898, first graced the stage in 1901 and was published alongside Captain Brassbounds Conversion and The Devils Disciple in the 1901 collection Three Plays for Puritans. The inaugural performance took place in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 15, 1899, with a notable London production at the Savoy Theatre in 1907. Shaw presents a compelling argument that it was not passion, but rather political ambition, that drew Cleopatra to Julius Caesar. He draws parallels between the Roman occupation of ancient Egypt and the British ...

Gifted playwright George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan is based on the life and trials of Joan of Arc whose canonisation occurred shortly before he wrote this play. Based on both substantial information of her life in Medieval France and records of her trial, Shaw characterizes this unique woman caught between the forces of the Church and law in this classic production with a strong cast supporting Siobhan McKenna's fine interpretation of this tragic heroine.

"One of Shaw's most enduring works, Pygmalion is an insightful comedy of class relations and perceptions, as played out between a Cockney flower girl and the irascible speech professor who has taken her on as a pet project.

This captivating play explores the life of Candida, the wife of the renowned clergyman, Reverend James Mavor Morell. Morell, a popular Christian Socialist within the Church of England, owes much of his success to Candidas unwavering support. However, when she returns home from a trip to London accompanied by the young poet Eugene Marchbanks—who believes he can offer her a life beyond the confines of her mundane domesticity—the dynamics shift dramatically. Marchbanks is infatuated with Candida, viewing her as a divine figure deserving of more than mere complacency in her marriage. While ...

The Emporor of Rome and the Queen of the Nile as only Shaw could have imagined them! He is a self-doubting cynic who is experiencing a mid-life crisis and she is an imperious and impertinent child on the threshold of womanhood. This recording also includes Shaw's alternate Prologue and his post-text notes.

Fresh off his victory at The Battle of Lodi, Napoleon is planning to enjoy his lunch when a lieutenant arrives with the bad news that the dispatches he had been carrying were stolen. Infuriated, Napoleon threatens him with being court-martialed unless he can recover them. A woman appears who claims to know about the theft. Unconvinced of her story, Napoleon and the woman enter into a battle of wits in true Shaw style. Will the conqueror of worlds end up conquered by a woman?

Henry Higgins, a phonetician, agrees to coach and groom Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl and transform her into a socially acceptable person, no less than a duchess - in just six months! Timeless themes of equality and social class are explored in a lighthearted, comical manner, raising many questions such as: Can Eliza "I'm a good girl I am!" live up to their expectations? What will become of her afterwards?

Immerse yourself in the brilliant wit and thought-provoking wisdom of playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw with this wondrous collection featuring 100 quotes that encapsulate Shaw's genius and his timeless relevance. From sharp social commentary to inspiring words on art, politics, and life, this collection is sure to captivate, challenge and inspire you.

In this allegorical play, the eccentric Captain Shorover's home hosts a cast, each of whom represents some evil in the modern world.

George Bernard Shaw is een muziekcriticus, toneelschrijver, essayist, speelt Ierse auteur en scenarist. Vernietigende en provocerend, pacifist en non-conformistische, won hij de Nobelprijs voor de Literatuur in 1925. Deze 100 citaties doel om de toegang tot zijn monumentale werk van een selectie van zijn belangrijkste gedachten in een formaat dat voor iedereen toegankelijk te bieden.

Explore the intricate dance of love and war, where courage is tested and ideals are challenged. This collection delves into the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of conflict and romantic entanglements. Each week, our podcast presents a different full-length audiobook, offering a diverse range of narratives that span various periods and perspectives. Experience the wit and wisdom of classic literature, gaining insights into the human condition and the nuances of societal norms. With new books added weekly, there's always something fresh to discover and reflect upon. ...

The play Don Juan in Hell originated as Act 3, Scene 2, of Man and Superman and is a spirited debate between Heaven and Hell. It was written by Irish playwright and a master of social commentary George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950), who is probably most famous for Pygmalion amongst his 60 plays. This famous performance features Charles Boyer as Don Juan, Charles Laughton as the Devil, Cedric Hardwicke as the Commander, and Agnes Moorehead as Doña Ana.

Arms and the Man is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw that takes place in 1885, during the Serbo-Bulgarian War. Raina Petkoff is engaged to the gallant Sergius Saranoff, hero of the recent Bulgarian victory over the Serbs. But she is distracted by the abrupt arrival of Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who fought for the Serbian army. He takes refuge in her bedroom after the battle and although he is initially threatening, reveals that he carries chocolate creams instead of bullets. Will Raina marry the posturing Sergius or the chocolate cream soldier?

Love Among the Artists, originally penned in 1881 and published in the United States in 1900 and in England in 1914, offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Victorian polite society. In an atmosphere filled with light-hearted chatter and superficiality, a young George Bernard Shaw shares his insights on the arts, the nature of romantic love, and the complexities of marriage. While he believes that dilettantes may find a way to balance love and domesticity, true artists, burdened by their genius, often struggle to conform to such societal norms. The central character, Owen Jack, is a ...

Set against the backdrop of impending World War I, Heartbreak House follows Ellie Dunn as she navigates a tangled web of love and societal expectations at one of Hesione Hushabye’s notorious dinner parties. With a scoundrel for a fiancé, a bumbling father, and a secret love for Hector, Hesione’s husband, Ellie finds herself in a farcical yet tragic predicament. This sharp and witty play serves as a biting satire of British society, blissfully unaware of the looming disaster. (Summary by Wikipedia)

George Bernard Shaws Major Barbara presents a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics and social ideals. Lady Britomart Undershaft, an aristocrat, finds herself estranged from her wealthy husband, Andrew, who manufactures armaments. As her daughters, Sarah and Barbara, prepare for marriage, Lady Britomart seeks financial support from Andrew. Barbara, a Major in the Salvation Army, invites her father to witness her work in a mission located in Londons East End, while she agrees to visit his munitions factory. This clash of Barbaras philanthropic fervor and her fathers capitalist ...