SECOND Thoughts’ first production of 2023 will be George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man.
With war raging in the Balkans, Raina Petkoff has recently become engaged to young officer Sergius. No sooner have her romantic ideals been shaken up by a Swiss mercenary, who seeks refuge in her bedroom, than her servant Louka takes the opportunity to set her sights on Sergius herself, despite being engaged to an older manservant.
A romantic and witty comedy with an occasional descent into farce, Shaw’s classic play is entertaining and still surprisingly relevant.
This classic play was written to draw attention to the futility and romantic idealism of war, but it is a rom-com at heart, with two love stories at its centre. It also takes a satirical look at the conventions of social class.
An early work by the playwright who would later pen Pygmalion, Arms and the Man was one of the first of Shaw’s plays to bring him commercial success.
Directed by Amanda Laidler, many of the cast will be known to Stratford audiences, including Vanessa Gravestock, Andrew Tyrer, Gill Hines, Tim Raistrick, Georgina Monk and Andy Watts, as well as introducing new member Siôn Grace.
Arms and the Man runs at The Bear Pit Theatre in Rother Street, Stratford from March 29 to April 1 with performances at
7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
To book tickets visit secondthoughts.org.uk or call 0333 666 3366. Tickets will also be available on the door from one hour before the performance.
