Bernard Shaw Birthday Play 2026
Shaw's Corner - National Trust
Every year the Shaw Society celebrates Bernard Shaw's birthday by sponsoring a performance of one of his plays on the weekend closest to his birthday, The play chosen for 2026 is Candida.
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Candida by Bernard Shaw
Performed by the Rumpus Theatre Company
Friday 24th July and Saturday 25th July 2026
Shaw's Corner - National Trust
Doors open at 6.30pm
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.The performance takes place in the garden of Shaw's home in Ayot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire. made possible with the kind permission and support of the staff and volunteers of Shaw's Corner - National Trust.
In addition Candida will be performed at the Inaugural London Shaw Festival on 11th and 12th July.
Candida was first performed at the Theatre Royal, South Shields in 1895. However it was not until 1903 that the show gained popularity in New York before being performed at the Royal Court in 1904. Newspapers reported the enthusiasm of audiences for the play and its love triangle romance.
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"A new complaint has become widespread. It may be described as 'Candidamania.' It is a contagious disease, frequently caught in street cars, elevated trains, department stores, restaurants, and other places where people talk about what they did the night before. 'Have you seen Candida?' is the question of the hour. Thousands are dragging their friends to see Mr. Shaw's play."
The Sun, New York, 12 March 1904
One woman, two men, an eternal triangle of exuberant personalities, but who will Candida choose? Her mature, idealistic clergyman husband, who believes all is well with his world, until he finds it shattered to its very foundations; or the youthful, impulsive Bohemian poet, convinced only he truly understands the woman he worships, and that all conventions should be thrown to the wind! Add into the mix the clergyman’s secretary, secretly in love with her employer, a curate also devoted to his superior, and Candida’s somewhat rough-and-ready capitalist father, the polar opposite of his proselytizing son-in-law, and you have the perfect ingredients for an exhilarating evening of love and wit!
Rumpus Theatre Company, The Shaw Society and The National Trust to present this charming, vivacious play in the magical open air setting of Shaw’s Corner - an enchanting evening not to be missed!
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Please book your tickets in advance via this link, as it will not be possible to purchase them on the door.
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The performance is presented in the open air on the terrace at Shaw's Corner.
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Audience members will need to bring their own picnic chairs and picnics, if they would like. Also suitable clothing for a cooler July evening, and the possible arrival of drizzle!
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There is a large grass car park just over the road from the house and disabled car parking only at the house, For directions to the house, please refer to the Shaw's Corner website:
For further information on accessibility, please refer to the Shaw's Corner Access Statement with particular reference to the Garden section
(NB the Main House will not be open during the performance)