A new West End revival of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession will be a family affair, with four-time Olivier winner Imelda Staunton co-starring alongside daughter and Bridgerton star Bessie Carter. Performances are set to begin May 10 at the Garrick Theatre, with opening night set for May 22. Performances will continue through August 16.
Dominic Cooke will direct, reuniting with Staunton after collaborating on previous revivals of Hello, Dolly! and Follies. Sonia Friedman is producing. Further casting and creative team members are to be announced.
The play sees a young woman coming home to meet her mother for the first time, only to find out that she's a former prostitute-turned-brothel madam. Early performances of the work, which questions societal assumptions about sex work, were censored and banned, but has since become a stage classic. Broadway's most recent revival, in 2010, starred Cherry Jones in the title role.
“The new year felt like the perfect time to return to the stage in Mrs. Warren’s Profession, a play which asks ever-pertinent questions about the role of women in society, and the choices they make for survival," says Staunton in a statement. "I couldn’t be happier to be stepping into the rehearsal room with my very great friend and colleague Dominic; and my brilliant daughter Bessie. What a treat for 2025!”
“Although Mrs. Warren's Profession is over 120 years old, it still has the power to shock with its frank and provocative examination of the exploitative nature of society and the double standards applied to women," adds Cooke. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Imelda Staunton on Follies and Hello, Dolly!, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with her for the first time on a play, especially alongside the super talented Bessie Carter. Additionally, I’m excited to reunite with Sonia Friedman after 15 years. I can’t wait to bring this remarkable play and brilliant cast to London audiences in the spring.”
Tickets are expected to go on sale shortly. Sign-ups for pre-sale ticket access are available at MrsWarrensProfession.com.
