Showing results by author "George Bernard Shaw" in All Categories

Saint Joan is a compelling play by George Bernard Shaw that dives into the life of Joan of Arc, a 15th-century French military icon. Premiering in 1923, just three years after her canonization by the Roman Catholic Church, the play captures Shaws perspective that the individuals involved in Joans trial acted based on their convictions. In his preface, Shaw eloquently states, “There are no villains in the piece. Crime, like disease, is not interesting it is something to be done away with by general consent, and that is all [there is] about it. It is what men do at their best, with good ...

In Widowers Houses, one of the three thought-provoking plays that make up Shaws Plays Unpleasant published in 1898, the renowned playwright challenges the status quo of Victorian theatre. Rather than simply entertain, Shaw aims to illuminate pressing social issues and critique the exploitation of the working class by the affluent elite. The story follows Dr. Harry Trench, who faces a moral crisis upon learning the unsettling truth about his fiancées father, Mr. Sartorius, and his dubious means of wealth. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Trenchs own financial situation is ...

In this thought-provoking late work, George Bernard Shaw delves into a myriad of contemporary issues through the lens of evolution, presenting his insights in five succinct plays set across vastly different historical epochs—from the Garden of Eden to the year 31,920 A.D. The central theme of this historical exploration posits that the future of humanity hinges on extending our lifespan to a remarkable 300 years, allowing us to truly mature. The characters in these plays wrestle with a pivotal question what will be the next significant leap in our evolution? While mere longevity enables this...

Misalliance, a captivating play by George Bernard Shaw from 1910, delves into the complex romantic dynamics of an eclectic group gathered at a wealthy mans country estate during a summer weekend. At the heart of the intrigue is Hypatia Tarleton, the hosts spirited daughter and a quintessential Shaw heroine, who embodies his belief that in the dance of courtship, women are the relentless pursuers while men are often hesitant. Hypatia is the daughter of the newly affluent John Tarleton, who amassed his fortune in the unremarkable yet profitable underwear industry. Growing weary of the rigid ...

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Revolution, Devils Disciple follows the rebellious Richard Dudgeon, who, disillusioned by his mothers strict religious fervor and the narrow-mindedness of his neighbors, boldly embraces the title of the devils disciple. He finds camaraderie among the towns outcasts and relishes in the discomfort of those around him, including the earnest minister Anthony Anderson and his unassuming wife, Judith. However, as the British Army, led by General Burgoyne, draws near in search of prominent rebels to punish, Richard, Anthony, and Judith confront a ...

In Fannys First Play, we meet Fanny, the spirited daughter of a Count, who has taken a bold step by penning her own play. With professional actors at her side and the eyes of prominent critics upon her, she chooses to keep her authorship a secret, fearing her fathers disapproval of the perceived vulgarity of modern life. Will Fannys daring endeavor succeed, or will her fathers traditional values overshadow her artistic ambitions? Join us for a captivating journey filled with wit, tension, and the struggle for creative freedom. - Summary by Michele Eaton

"300 Quotations from the Great Artists of the 20th Century" is a collection of wit and wisdom from some of the 20th century’s greatest minds. The cherry-picked selection of quotes includes musings from martial arts expert and actor Bruce Lee, actor and comedian Groucho Marx, and Irish Playwright, George Bernard Shaw. This highly recommended collection is an inspiring, educational, and humorous listen, and will delight those who need some extra motivation or just a quick laugh.

Pygmalion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, named after the Greek mythological figure. In ancient Greek mythology, Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, which then came to life. The general idea of that myth was a popular subject for Victorian era British playwrights. Shaw's play has been adapted numerous times, most notably as the 1938 film Pygmalion, the 1956 musical My Fair Lady and its 1964 film version.

A inteligência e a esperteza nunca são aborrecidas. Seleccionámos para si 500 citações dos autores mais espirituosos de sempre, de Oscar Wilde a Groucho Marx, George Bernard Shaw, Albert Einstein com a ajuda de Woody Allen. Desfrute destas pérolas de humor para alegrar o seu dia com uma boa gargalhada, descubra comentários e piadas inestimáveis para surpreender os seus amigos e inimigos, e aperte as mãos com as maiores mentes.

George Bernard Shaw é um crítico de música irlandês, dramaturgo, ensaísta, dramaturgo e argumentista. Acerboso e provocador, pacifista e anticonformista, foi galardoado com o Prémio Nobel da Literatura em 1925. Estas 100 citações visam dar acesso à sua obra monumental através de uma selecção dos seus pensamentos mais marcantes, num formato acessível a todos.

Familiarize-se com três grandes artistas do século XX através de uma cuidadosa selecção de 300 citações, introduzindo as suas ideias e delineando com clareza a estrutura do seu trabalho. Descubra novos aspectos ou aprofunde-se nos pensamentos de Bruce Lee, George Bernard Shaw, Groucho Marx, para expandir a sua mente e conhecimento sobre a nossa cultura.

Richard Dudgeon, who has become an outcast from his puritanical family due to his religious apostasy, returns home on the death of his father. Much to everyone’s surprise, it is revealed that the father changed his will shortly before his death and has left the bulk of the estate to Richard. Now that he is lord of the manor, Richard asserts himself and declares his opposition to the colonial British authorities. Later, he is arrested by the British and sentenced to death but is rescued in the nick of time by a local militia commanded by Anthony Anderson, who, ironically, is a pastor.

According to George Bernard Shaw, Joan of Arc was in fact one of the first Protestant martyrs. She was one of the first apostles of nationalism, and the first French practitioner of Napoleonic realism in warfare. She also refused to accept the specific woman's lot, and dressed and fought and lived as men did. Shaw's exploration of the story of this ingenuous and eponymous heroine is set in six scenes and an epilogue, which takes place in 1456, when the church cleared Joan of the charge of heresy and condemned her accusers of corruption.

Bernard Shaw based his "religious pantomime" Androcles and the Lion on the ancient fable of the runaway slave who pulls a painful thorn from a lion's paw, thereby making a lifelong friend. This tale of a puny Greek tailor triumphing over the Roman emperor is, as always with Shaw, a commentary on the politics of his time, with the emperor standing in for the British government and, indeed, all repressive regimes.

Making his way to a tryst with his "dark lady" near the royal palace the young playwright William Shakespeare encounters a mysterious woman in a cloak. Mistaking her for his lady friend, he accosts her in a familiar fashion, only to discover, to his dismay, that she is in fact the queen. He overcomes his initial discomfort, and takes advantage of the situation to make a petition for royal support to establish a national theatre.

A timeless classic by George Bernard Shaw, Arms and the Man is a comedy about love, ideals, and romance. A young woman from a wealthy Bulgarian family is visited in her room by an enemy captain in his flight to evade capture, and this chance encounter threatens her engagement and her high-minded idealism.

Barbara, the granddaughter of an earl, is busy saving souls in the Salvation Army while her father, maintaining that poverty is the worst of crimes, runs a munitions factory.

The play begins on a summer evening at Covent Garden in London. Suddenly, pouring torrential rain, takes pedestrians by surprise, forcing them to take refuge under the portal of the Cathedral of St. Paul. Among them are phonetics professor Henry Higgins and a researcher of Indian dialects, Colonel Pickering, who came specially from India to see the professor. The encounter delights them both.

In this poignant play Candida, the wife of the Rev. James Morell is loved by th esensitive young poet, Eugene Marchbanks. The two men agree that Candida must make her choice. But she has different ideas.

A Cockney flower girl is transformed into a charming woman of the world by a professor of phonetics. This is the play that was later to be adapted as the musical, My Fair Lady.