Mrs. Warren’s Profession – Pacific Resident Theatre
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
A MUST SEE!
In a city brimming with artistic offerings and an abundance of theatrical productions booked weeks in advance, it was a compelling invitation that persuaded me to make room in my schedule, after a last-minute cancellation. I rushed to the theatre and joyfully discovered one of the biggest, exceptionally fascinating, diamonds among many gorgeous diamonds by this playwright. It is now one of my favorites. It is beyond brilliant. This fascinating production is not-to-be-missed!
A play written in 1893 by George Bernard Shaw, Mrs. Warren’s Profession exposes the social hypocrisy surrounding prostitution and the severely limited employment opportunities available to women in Victorian Britain. Shaw said he wrote the play ‘to draw attention to the truth that prostitution is caused, not by female depravity and male licentiousness, but simply by underpaying, undervaluing and overworking women so shamefully that the poorest of them are forced to resort to prostitution to keep body and soul together.’
George Bernard Shaw, a prolific Irish playwright, has written over 60 plays. This one, and several of his most famous and major works are written in four acts—including Arms and the Man, Candida, Major Barbara, and The Millionairess.
The first three acts of Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession take place in the countryside near Haslemere, Surrey. Act I is set in the garden of a cottage on a summer afternoon, Act II takes place inside the cottage after nightfall, and Act III occurs in the rectory garden the following morning. Act IV shifts to Honoria Fraser’s chambers in London, where Vivie Warren (Nell Murphy) is working, after graduating from the University of Cambridge with high honors in Mathematics. What a magnificent young actress Murphy is!
After discovering that her mother Kitty Warren (Cyndy Fujikawa) has built an international business empire, running a chain of brothels across Europe, Vivie can no longer respect the way her mother lives. As a modern, highly educated young woman with high morals, Vivie was not exposed to the tragedy that so many other poor young girls were facing. Those girls must sometimes make prostitution their escape from poverty in order to reclaim a sense of possibility in lives otherwise overshadowed by hopelessness, despair, and thoughts of suicide. Vivie cannot seem to understand this or her mother’s choice to succeed and provide for her daughter by pursuing the only path to economic security she believes is available to her. Unable to understand the circumstances that led her mother to choose prostitution Vivie sees only the moral ugliness and corruption associated with that world, ultimately breaking ties, returning the allowance from her mother and deciding to support herself back in London. She is determined to live independently and on her own terms.
These characters are real life mother and daughter, and powerful actresses! Magnetic, strong, passionate, risky and vibrant. Both of their long monologues are done with precision, and a deep emotional connection. The audience was glued to the stage, intensely listening and living every moment through these women. Electric indeed!
The male characters, Stuart W. Howard (Praed), Geoffrey Wade (Sir George Crofts), Will Rothhaar (Frank Gardner), and Richard Eden (Rev. Samuel Gardner) have the same intensity as the women. A splendid cast, strikingly impressive, noble and super majestic!
The elegance of the Victorian-era attire is complemented by a simple backdrop that is rich in textures and atmospheric depth, creating a scene reminiscent of a beautifully composed painting. When all of the actors are on the stage, carefully and with a finesse – positioned by Director Michael Rothhaar, (Broadway and off-Broadway credits), it is a magnificent visual of sophistication and beauty.
Everything in this production is top notch, and even though the theatre and stage is extremely small – the production feels huge, elevated by an extraordinarily talented cast whose presence and artistry fill the space with remarkable energy. The production is supported by Victorian garments put together by Shon LeBlanc, exquisitely illuminated by masterful lighting design from Michael Franco, and the set design by Taubert Nadalini. Additionally enhanced by dramaturg Lynn Thomson, dialect coach Laura Waddell, scenic artist is Rowan Auckland, wig stylist Carol Mitchell, and executive producer Marilyn Fox. The stage manager is Quinn Pollard-Velez.
Pacific Resident Theatre is nationally recognized as one of the top regional theaters on the West Coast. The company presents works of the highest quality, in order to entertain, inform and educate its multicultural community. In addition to the company’s commitment to rediscover the rarely performed classics, PRT is focused on fostering and developing new works through the collaboration of an artistic ensemble influenced by societal relevance, past, present and future. Pacific Resident Theatre promotes the theatre arts by providing opportunities for artists and craftsmen to develop and enrich their skills.
With a three theatre spaces PRT has a few productions in the making. There was a lot going on when I was there and everyone is so kind and accommodating.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession has become one of my favorite productions. I have not seen it in the past, but I could see it now – over and over again. I am truly overtaken by it.
Pacific Resident Theatre is located at 707 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. Performances are at 8:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays; 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm Saturdays; 3:00 pm Sundays through November 15, 2026 (check website for exceptions). Street parking or limited parking in the free lot behind building. Tickets $45; 55+ and Veterans $35.00 per ticket ($10 Off); $12 Student tickets ($23 Off). Reservations: https://pacificresidenttheatre.org/ or call (310) 822-8392.