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Overview
Synopsis
Major Barbara explores the conflict between charity and wealth through the lens of the Undershaft family. Barbara, a daughter in the family, is a major in the Salvation Army. Her father, Andrew, is a wealthy munitions manufacturer, whom the rest of the family hasn't seen for 20 years. The conflict between their world views brings Andrew to the Army shelter, and Barbara to his factory. The rest of the family, Lady Britomart and her two other children, find Barbara's charity amusing, but they are all dependent on Andrew for survival. In the end, Andrew and Barbara find a way to work together for the greater good.
Show Information
- Book
- George Bernard Shaw
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1905
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Period
- Time & Place
- london
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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