BBC Play of the MonthMrs. Warren's Profession (3 Oct. 1972)A very proper young woman is horrified to discover not only that her mother once worked as a prostitute in order to support her, but that she later became a whorehouse madam rather than give up the business. Director:Herbert WiseWriter:George Bernard Shaw (play) |
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Recently popular again on stage, Shaw's controversial play 'Mrs Warren's Profession' receives an excellent adaptation for television here, directed by Herbert Wise, and starring Coral Browne as a stylish and gravel-voiced Mrs Warren, Penelope Wilton as her daughter Vivie, and Robert Powell as Vivie's beau Frank.
With just the right touch - ie without pushing the comic elements, this play zips along and allows the audience to sit back and enjoy the performances. Browne and Wilton are especially good and for them alone, this play is highly recommended.
As far as sets for the play are concerned, the Warrens' country house, the church gardens, and Vivie's office look realistic and as if a bit of money has been spent on them - same with the costumes and the wigs. But the print currently available suffers from poor sound in the early scenes, which is a bit of a shame.