Although her mother was born into poverty, Vivie Warren has enjoyed a comfortable upbringing, a Cambridge education and a generous monthly allowance. Ambitious, intelligent and independent, how will she react when she suddenly discovers the awful truth that her privileges have been financed by the proceeds of a chain of brothels?
Written in 1893, and banned until 1925, Bernard Shaw’s provocative comedy was considered to be too controversial for the English stage and at its first American staging in 1905, the entire cast was arrested. Full of strong characters, witty and sharp dialogue, the play is an indictment of the double standards in Victorian society regarding sex and money.