REVIEW: Notes on greed and scandals in Central Square Theater’s thought provoking ‘Mrs. Warren’s Profession’
Let the negotiations begin. This is big business and with cigar in hand, Vivie Warren thinks she is ready for anything.
Set Designer David R. Gammons designates a perfect place for negotiations for the head and heart using a long conference table in a board room for this rich and enigmatic drama.
With sharp direction by Eric Tucker, Bedlam, Central Square Theater presents George Bernard Shaw’s satirical drama Mrs. Warren’s Profession live and in person at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts extended through Sunday, June 29. This production lasts two hours with one 15 minute intermission. It boasts open captions that come in handy during the performance and the content has some adult themes. Click here for more information and for tickets.
What is Mrs. Warren’s profession?
Herein lays one of a few mysteries among this group of complex and formidable characters who are keeping a few secrets of their own. Condescending and at times, downright smug, Barlow Adamson steps into the expensive shoes of Sir George Crofts who declares himself a friend of Vivie’s mother, Mrs. Warren. The show’s fascinating opening scene features Adamson and Luz Lopez as Vivie in an intellectual exchange proving that Vivie can certainly hold her own. Even through Adamson’s humorous mansplaining, Vivie is a female force to be reckoned with.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession is primarily steeped in at times heavy, but steadily shrewd and satirical comedy and social commentary. Adamson impressively portrays Crofts with a mix of sardonic wit and charisma as he carefully sizes up seeming competitors including Nael Nacer as kindly Praed, Wesley Savick as alarmed and tight lipped Reverend Samuel Gardner, and Evan Taylor as young, impulsive and perhaps loose cannon Frank Gardner. Nacer as Praed and Adamson as Crofts embark in cagey and captivating exchanges while smirking and belligerent Taylor as Frank cuts his father, Savick as Reverend Gardner down to size when Frank is not shamelessly flirting with both Mrs. Warren and Vivie. Each man approaches Vivie and Mrs. Warren with their own motivations knowing that these strong willed women are also limited by a woman’s oppressive place in society.
Just three years after the publication of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, George Bernard Shaw published Mrs. Warren’s Profession in 1893. These works feature women ahead of their time fighting against the limitations of a woman in that era. Creating tension and isolation, Tucker seamlessly blends the classic with the contemporary through a notably vintage piece of staging reminiscent of Hedda Gabler where the whole cast is present, but not part of the action taking place onstage. In this pivotal scene, the negotiation table doubles as a stage as Jeff Adelberg’s moody and rhythmic multipurpose lighting gauges time is money as stock market projections flash above the stage.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession delves into status, conspiracy, hypocrisy, morality and complex family dynamics wrapped up in a couple of significant mysteries that directly affect the complicated relationship between absentee mother Mrs. Warren and her daughter, Vivie. Costumer Leslie Held puts the cast in their business finest with the exception of Sam in a vestment, callow Frank and Vivie. Standing out in a braid and classic business casual attire, Lopez’s poker faced Vivie might be at the negotiation table, but she is ultimately in it for more.
Luz Lopez portrays idealistic Vivie, a modern, unwaveringly sensible, and fiercely independent and innately mature woman who is meeting with her mother and woman of the hour, Mrs. Kitty Warren, depicted with critical yet measured affection by Melinda Lopez, for the first time in many years. Vivie feigns a certain indifference to her mother, but feels displaced and lonely. Though Kitty attempts to be more than cordial, Vivie keeps her mother at arm’s length for reasons that gradually unfold. Bickering, mincing words, and pressing each other’s buttons, Melinda and Luz skillfully navigate their unstable mother and daughter dynamic which veer from a cold handshake to hospitable and then changing once again as guilt and promises are stealthily presented amidst negotiations.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession is considered a classic play and much of the quick witted content can be translated with ease into today’s society. Suspenseful and intriguing, these chilling revelations may not be as scandalous as they might have been in 1893, but no less impactful, especially as negotiations go awry.
Central Square Theater presents George Bernard Shaw’s satirical drama Mrs. Warren’s Profession live and in person at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts extended through Sunday, June 29. Click here for more information and for tickets.
