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OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    George Bernard (GB) Shaw 

  • Setting

    Room in the War Office of General Mitchener, 1909.

  • Synopsis

    Described by Shaw as "a topical sketch compiled from the editorial and correspondance columns of the daily papers during the women's war in 1909."

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    One Act

    • Cast size

  • Male

    3

  • Female

    3

  • Total

    6

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    09 July 1909

  • Production Notes

    The production listed here was a private showing, the play having drawn the wrath of the censor as a result of Shaw's thinly veiled caricaturing of General Kitchener and Prime Minister Asquith. The first public performance of the play ( Gaiety Theatre Manchester, 29th September 1909) saw the controversial 'Mitchener' and 'Balsquith' characters renamed 'General Bones' and 'Prime Minister Johnston'.

  • Venue Notes

    First performed at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Original Cast  
Balsquith Leon Quartermaine
General Mitchener Robert Loraine
Mrs Farrell Agnes Thomas
Orderly Ernest Cosham
Mrs Banger Alice Beet
Lady Corinthia Fanshawe Ethelwyn Jones

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