(photo: Christopher O. Banks)

From The Washington Post
Weekend Section
ON THE ROCKS -- (By Washington Stage Guild through April 4)

In George Bernard Shaw's play, England's leaders are ineffectual and its citizens are unhappy. The economy's tanking and special-interest groups are clamoring for change, but the head of state is hard at work on a can't-miss balm: a rousing speech to distract the masses. Some earnest rhetoric about peacekeeping, perhaps, though he also believes "a bit of sentiment about the family always goes down well."

Nearly seven decades have passed since Shaw penned "On the Rocks," but the state of democracy apparently hasn't matured. In Shaw's satire, no one escapes criticism, from bickering partisans who can't see past their own navels to the uneducated voters, "poor silly sheep" who are "taken in by any nonsense"

In 1933, liberal prime minister Sir Arthur Chavender (Bill Largess) is as overtaxed as his constituents, so silly with worry over his hectic schedule that he hardly realizes he's really doing nothing at all. He accepts that he's "going dotty" and agrees to a six-week respite at his doctor's retreat.

Anchored by Largess's strong comic performance, Act 1 is a brisk and entertaining look at the prime minister's precarious control over both his country and his family -- neither of which he holds in high regard.

The play's second act, which takes place a few months after Sir Arthur's respite, shifts focus from the idiotic but ingratiating main character to members of England's coalition. There are strong performances, but the lengthy meeting drones on, filled with dry debate and the repetition of ideas. Moderately jokey costumes help keep Act 2 as lively as possible, and Shaw's dexterity with the queen's English is consistently delightful.

"On the Rocks," like the very figures it attacks, may at times be "very, very busy doing nothing," but it always does so with polish. -- T.O.

1901 14th St. NW.
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.
matinees Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
(240) 582-0050