Dear Liar, is a play adapted by Jerome Kilty from the correspondence of Bernard Shaw and Mrs Patrick Cambell. It portrays the communication between the writer George Bernard Shaw and actress Mrs Patrick Campbell. A relationship of expression; love, frustration and conflict between the artists. An affair of the heart, battling egos and a collective passion for performance. Their affair captured in a series of personal letters that survived World War two.
The prose and context of the play centred around the letters creates a voyeuristic view of how their relationship brought about some of Shaw’s best theatrical work. Pygmalion written in early 1912 was read to actress Mrs Patrick Campbell first in June. Written with Campbell in mind Shaw “this is for you; I wrote it just for you “. Keen to play Eliza, Campbell however delays the London production due to ill health and the anxious fallout this may have for her prospective career playing a ‘cockney’.
Mrs Patrick Cambell played by Rachel Pickup and “Joey” George Bernard Shaw, portrayed by Alan Turkington walks you through the timeline of events within the letters giving you a flavour of the flirtatious nature, deception of a public love affair and personal loss. This play is beautifully crafted by Stella Powell-Jones with edge, wit and precision. A story that invites you to witness a ‘behind the scenes’ of two artistic greats. Drawing you in to the detail, of the contents of these letters. This intimate theatre was a perfect setting for this play Tom Paris created moveable curtains providing staging backdrops and beach scenes to support the timeline. The costume exquisite of the time and complimented the set perfectly. It did not distract your attention away from the key players.
Dear Liar, runs for 2hrs and 15 minutes, arguably this could be shortened without an interval. The second act felt like there was a need to reset the scene again however there was no problem staying focussed on the detail. Bask in the literary dialogue and accept that this play is about two people batting egos and survival in an artistic world when outside is at war.
These letters survived to tell the story which in essence is something quite extraordinary.
Playwright Jerome Kilty
Director Stella Powell-Jones
Set & Costume Designer Tom Paris
Performers Rachel Pickup and Alan Turkington
Booking Link https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk Runs 5th February – 7th March 2026
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 11th February 2025
North West End UK Rating: