Mrs. Warren's Profession

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MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION

Photo: Joan Marcus
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Summary


Cititour.com Review
What was groundbreaking at the turn of the last century when George Bernard Shaw debuted "Mrs. Warren’s Profession" has now, decades later, turned into bland, even though the subject matter could easily be written about today. Mrs. Warren is a Madam, running an international consortium of locations throughout Europe. Her ill-gotten gain, and whether or not her grown daughter should be enjoying money earned in such illegal pursuits while society remains complicit with a wink and a nod, is the moral argument put forth by the playwright.

But the Doug Hughes-helmed revival at the Roundabout’s Broadway house lacks the crackle of its subject matter. Sure, it boasts a tenacious Cherry Jones (Emmy-winner for TV’s "24" and Tony-winner for Broadway’s "Doubt") in the title role, and sparks fly whenever she launches into one of her many monologues, but the supporting cast, all perfectly acceptable, appear as stage decoration whenever Ms. Jones is not in attendance.

British actress Sally Hawkins plays Jones’ daughter with a mix of exasperated intensity and a high-pitched squeal. If she’s not indignant, then she’s at her wit’s end, tearing into her mother’s logic with the force of a bloodhound. But her performance is overly shrill. The supporting cast of Mark Harelik, Adam Driver, Michael Siberry and the usual competent, Edward Hibbert, expound with appropriate English decorum. Granted, it’s not easy to be the mouthpiece for the playwright’s righteous indignation of society’s covert behavior.

Scott Pask’s country house and garden set give off that stately vibe and Catherine Zuber’s costumes for Ms. Jones are painted in scarlet red.

"Mrs. Warren’s Profession" is not an unpleasant evening in the theatre, but unfortunately, it’s not a very exciting one either.

By Lesley Alexander


Visit the Site
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/aat

Cast
Cherry Jones, Sally Hawkins, Adam Driver, Mark Harelik, Edward Hibbert, Michael Siberry

Open/Close Dates
Opening 9/3/2010
Closing 11/28/2010

Box Office
212-719-1300

Theatre Info
American Airlines Theatre
227 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
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