HEARTBREAK HOUSE | Reading
Actors’ Fund of Canada

Tom Hendry Warehouse, 140 Rupert Avenue at Lily Street

“In this house we know all the poses: our game is to find out the man under the pose.”

Shaw identified Heartbreak House as “my Lear” and most critics agree it represents the pinnacle of Shaw’s achievement in its “attempt to draw the portrait of a whole civilization” (Martin Meisel). Shaw presents us with a fascinating array of characters to make his argument that power must be wrested from the captains of industry and the imperialists who together threaten England’s democracy. With courage and intelligence, the eccentric inhabitants of Heartbreak House face up to disturbing truths about themselves and their world as Europe moves ever closer to World War I: in doing so they expose the poses and dangerous machinations of various visitors to the house and, in a boldly dramatic ending, Heartbreak House is revealed “as the ship of state drifting perilously toward the rocks” (Martin Meisel).

Director Margaret Groome

Wheelchair accessible | Capacity 286 | 3 hours (one intermission)

PERFORMANCE
Sun Feb 5 2:30pm

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION
Suggested Donation: $ 8.00. All proceeds go to the Actors’ Fund of Canada.

At the door only: Cash/ShawPass. Box office opens 30 minutes before showtime.