THE hypocrisy of the upper and middle classes takes another battering at Malvern this week.

Last week it was Priestley's savaging of the northern nouveau-riche industrialists in An Inspector Calls, this week Bernard Shaw's pre-feminist morality tale of prostitution and double standards among the country set.

It is mind-boggling to know that this gentle, clever and complex play was banned by the censor (the Lord Chamberlain) from the time of writing in 1898 until 1925.

The word prostitute or prostitution is never used, there are no references to sex and decorum is maintained at all times.

Yet the Lord Chamberlain knew, as does the audience, what point the great Socialist was making, and was under no obligation to justify his draconian decision.

The plot is simple. Oxford graduate Vivie discovers that her working class mother has paid for her lifestyle and education through prostitution and is horrified. But Shaw offers so many sides of the argument that judgment is impossible. When is 'vice' a virtue?

Twiggy Lawson as Mrs Warren is a grown-up Eliza Doolittle, set up in business by a wealthy, corrupt knight rather than being tutored by a grumpy phoneticist.

Sir Peter Hall's production is beautifully staged with simple and effective sets and one of many delights is to hear good, old-fashioned diction and projection on the modern stage. Shaw would definitely have approved!

At Malvern until Saturday (box office 01684 892277).

REVIEW BY STEVE EVANS