Players Club of Swarthmore – Swarthmore, PA

A comedy by George Bernard Shaw

Directed by: Paul Kerrigan

Production dates: (click on date to purchase tickets)
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Thursday performances are at 7:30 PM
Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM
Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM

“Meet The Artists” will be held following the Sunday, January 19^th performance.

Group rates available! Contact Tom Halley

Synopsis:

Long before World War I shattered everyone’s illusions about war, George Bernard Shaw tried his best to do it with Arms and the Man—but using laughs instead of bullets. Major Petkoff’s daughter Raina loves the dashing Sergius and romanticizes war. One night a mercenary soldier in the retreating enemy army bursts through her bedroom window. Captain Bluntschli first threatens her, then begs her to hide him. Raina complies, though she thinks the man a coward, especially when he tells her that he carries chocolate cremes instread of cartridges. He escapes in her father’s coat, but later comes gallantly back to return it. As Raina labors to keep the lid on the resulting interplay among Bluntschli, Sergius, and the Petkoffs, she learns some things about love and war.
 
Arms and the Man was a huge success from the start. (When Shaw was called onstage to thunderous applause, one audience member booed. Shaw replied, in characteristic fashion, “My dear fellow, I quite agree with you, but what are we two against so many?”) It was repeatedly filmed and musicalized (The Chocolate Soldier), but has not been seen on the Players Club stage since 1956. Now is your chance!