Shaw Festival’s Candida is another powerful offering on this season’s slate about the skill, efficacy and influence of women. It is a feminist play.
Reverend James Morell (Sanjay Talwar) is satisfied with his lot in life. He has a good job as a “Christian Socialist clergyman” and public lecturer, and he believes that he is a happy protector and provider for his wife, Candida (Sochi Fried). The couple welcome a sensitive young poet into their lives, 18-year-old Eugene Marchbanks (Johnathan Sousa). But when Marchbanks tells Morell of his undying love for Candida, he and Morell squabble over their different views on romance, love and marriage.
Marchbanks is the tragic poet, too shy to admit his love for Candida. “All the love in the world is longing to speak; only it dare not, because it is shy, shy, shy. That is the world's tragedy.”
George Bernard Shaw wrote Candida in 1894, at a time when the concept of the New Woman began to emerge. She contradicted the piousness and domesticity of women of the Victorian era. The starry-eyed Marchbanks is aghast to learn that Candida debases herself with such menial chores as cutting onions and polishing silver. Morell, on the other hand, is oblivious to the strengths his wife brings to their marriage.
This version of Candida (Shaw Festival mounted six other productions), is directed by Severn Thompson. It is set in the 1950s, at another time where the role of women in society was being challenged. As men returned from the Second World War, they resumed the jobs that women had no choice but to take up in their absence. Women soon again became dependent on the males in their lives, their fathers, brothers, and husbands, and were considered the ‘weaker sex.’
Marchbanks and Morell eventually force Candida to choose between the two of them, an idea ludicrous to Candida, who nevertheless asks them what they will give her in return. Marchbanks offers her his “heart's need,” while Morell offers to be her defender and her provider. Candida decides to give herself “to the weaker of the two.” It’s a moment before Morell realizes who she is talking about.
Candida explains that it has been women who bolster Morell; his mother and three sisters, and herself. “I build a castle of comfort and indulgence and love for him, and stand sentinel always to keep little vulgar cares out.”
Miss Prossie (Claire Jullien), Morell’s typist, muddles the love story by also being in love with Morrell. And it appears that even Reverend Lexy Mill, an acolyte of Morell’s, is smitten with him. Fortunately, there is one character who does not like Morell, Candida’s father, Mr. Burgess (Ric Reid).
Described by Shaw as “the mother play,” Candida alternates between parenting both ‘boys,’ even going so far in this production as to give Marchbanks a spank, but at no time is she the lofty romanticized woman in Marchbanks’ mind, or the delicate woman in need of protecting by Morell. Shaw’s 1950s Candida is strong and resolute throughout, causing the ‘boys’ in her life to rethink the role of women.
“Candidamania” was a “contagious disease,” according to the 1904 Evening Sun. Everyone was talking about its ideas on love and marriage. Harley Granville Barker, a young actor in the first London production of Candida, agreed to direct a Shakespeare play provided that they include six matinees of Candida. Katharine Cornell played Candida in 1924 and was so adored that The Actors’ Guild, which controlled productions in the U.S, banned any other actress from playing her role until her death.
In 1946, Marlon Brando played Marchbanks. Olivia de Havilland played Candida in 1952 and the role was played by Joanne Woodward in 1981 (which also saw Jane Curtain of SNL fame as Prossie). In 1993, Mary Steenburgen played Candida. A 2022 off-broadway production was set in 1929 Harlem, as per a suggestion by Stephen Sondheim.
This year Shaw Festival offers strong women in roles that were not always written with the advancement of women in mind. Besides Candida, My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle is determined to maintain her autonomy, and The House That Will Not Stand is filled with optimistic women, despite their predicaments.
This Candida knows what she wants and has the means and will to accomplish it.
Candida plays at the Royal George Theatre until Oct. 11. For more information and tickets visit shawfest.com
