GERHARD WIEBE, MASTERPLAYWRIGHTFEST.COM Enlarge Image

Ali Tartatyn as Major Barbara Undershaft and Jeff Madden as Andrew Undershaft

How to help humanity? Barbara Undershaft, a major in the Salvation Army and the title character in Shaw's 1905 play, thinks by feeding the unemployed and impoverished she can save their souls. Her father, a wealthy munitions manufacturer believes poverty is criminal and that fair wages - from, let's say, a career in the cannon-making business - is the true path to salvation.

Whether you pray to God almighty or the almighty dollar, one thing is certain, Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre Society's production of Major Barbara is too long. On opening night, the three-act play ran almost three hours! Directed by Alfred Wiebe, this production is tiresome due to patchy pacing and a weak second act.

Set in London, Act II takes place in the West Ham shelter of the Salvation Army. It's a crucial part of play, illustrating the suffering and shortcomings of the lower class and the hypocrisy (or at least what Barbara perceives as hypocrisy) of the church and charitable organizations but here it's repetitive, far too long and marked by subpar performances. The beggars, bruisers and bums speak in working class British accents, not one of them delivered convincingly.

That's not to say there aren't some good performances this how. Ali Tataryn handles herself very well in the title role, while Jeff Madden and Catherine Enns deliver competent performances as Andrew Undershaft and Lady Britomart respectively, although both (especially Enns) had a little trouble with their lines on opening night. Also, Adam Hurtig shines as Charles Lomax, and his repetition of "Oh, I say" providing some much- needed silliness throughout.
That being said, a few good performances (and the fact that Shaw's ideas on power, morality, money and religion remain relevant) can't salvage the fact that this Major Barbara is just too time-consuming.