Too True To Be Good *** TNT
Never one to use one word when a dozen would do, George Bernard Shaw’s 1932 social satire occasionally lives up to his prolix reputation, but also reveals his humorous, playful side. Like much of his work, it has a strong social message with its criticism of war, government, class inequality and even the eating of meat.
It’s a strange three act mixture of the whimsical (the first character to speak is a German measles microbe dressed in head-to-toe green) and the didactic (the clergyman turned thief’s closing speech definitely outstays its welcome). But in between Shaw has fun mocking the institutions of which he strongly disapproved, his pacifist sentiments fuelled by the events of the First World War.
Roger Braban gives a nicely-judged performance as a Colonel whose unseen wife has an eye on the Honours List, but the characters are often mainly mouthpieces for Shaw’s views – wealthy young Miss Mopply made ill by her over-indulgent mother; Sweetie, the flighty chambermaid who masquerades as a nurse to get her hands on her pearls then realises that a life of luxury brings a pointless, purposeless void, not happiness; her disconcertingly smug accomplice and former lover Aubrey parading in his striped swimming costume.
It’s certainly not a prime example of Shaw’s output, but it does offer a reasonably entertaining chance to catch a rarely revived example of the prolific old playwright’s later work – past his best, yes, but still retaining his ability to amuse.
Finborough, Finborough Road, SW10 9ED. Earl’s Court Tube (0844 847 1652) Until to 26th September (£9 - £13)
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