Major Barbara
Major Barbara [1] is a 1905 play in three acts by George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) [2]. Set in the early 1900's the story involves an idealistic young woman, Barbara Undershaft, who is engaged in helping the poor as an official (a Major) in the Salvation Army in London.
It was first produced at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1905 and first published in 1907.
Contents
The original text
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1947: Presented by the Cape Reps in the Little Theatre in December, produced by George Vollaire. The cast included Jack Stubbs, Jean de Beer, Dorothy Gibson, Geoffrey Barry, Roy Keech, Hal Stone and Ted Ogden. Set designed by Cecil Pym.
1975: Staged by PACT, directed by Frank Shelley, with Louis Ife (Undershaft), Norman Coombes (Peter Shirley), Richard Haines (Bill Walker), Diane Wilson (Lady Britomart), Nigel Daly (Stephen), Leonie Hofmeyr (Sarah), Michelle Maxwell (Barbara), Michael Richard (Charles Lomax), Robin Malan (Adolphus Cusins), Bernard Nathanson (Morrison & Bilton), Denis Bettesworth (Snobby Price), Valerie Dunlop (Rummy Mitchens), Dorothy-Ann Gould (Jenny Hill) and Margaret Heale (Mrs Baines). Decor by Johan Engels (credited as "Johann Engels") and costumes by Tom Owen.
Sources
Trek, 12(1):26.
Wikipedia [3]
PACT theatre programme, 1975.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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