Rumpus Theatre Company presents

the scintillating light comedy

Arms and the Man

(or The Chocolate Cream Soldier)

by George Bernard Shaw

an exciting open air production at Shaw's Corner, the country home of
George Bernard Shaw which he bequeathed to the National Trust

Beautiful young Bulgarian Raina has heroic ideals, betrothed as she is to
Major Sergius Saranoff. Her fiancé is away, fighting alongside her father,
Major Petkoff, in the war against Serbia ... but when escaping Serbian Captain
Bluntschli climbs into her bedroom through the balcony window, she finds
herself hiding him behind the curtains in spite of herself. Does he have
ammunition in his pockets? No … he has chocolate creams, like any other
jobbing soldier. And when she catches Sergius flirting with her maid Louka,
Raina finds her grand notions of love and war slipping away from her, as true
love and honesty take their place.

"the cast extracted every moment of laughter in this fast-moving comedy ...
a tremendous amount of fun" (The Shavian)

"[the] actors impressively bounce off one another [and] tell the story
eloquently and consummately" (British Theatre Guide)

A real audience-pleaser, ARMS AND THE MAN is a sparkling comedy that has
more than a little to say about the state of the world today!

Fri 25th & Sat 26th July @ 6.30pm

You are invited to book your tickets in advance via this link, as it will not be possible to purchase them
on the door - many thanks for your cooperation!

The performance is presented in the open air on the terrace at Shaw's Corner.

Audience members are kindly requested to bring their own picnic chairs for the lawn in front of the terrace ... and, indeed, their own picnics, if they would like. Also suitable clothing for a cooler July evening, and the possible arrival of drizzle!

There is a small car park adjacent to the house, and a large grass car park just over the road from the house.

For directions to the house, please refer to the Shaw's Corner website:

Shaw's Corner Website

For 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)

This production is generously sponsored by The Shaw Society