Great Catherine (Whom Glory Still Adores)

A witty, sharply observed comedy, this play turns the grand stage of 18th‑century Russian court life into a lively farce. It follows an English country gentleman who, through plain‑spoken honesty and a dash of courage, finds himself entangled in Catherine’s extravagant world of intrigue, satire, and theatrical excess. As he navigates the flamboyant ceremonies and the absurdities of power, the audience sees both the pomp of imperial ambition and the human foibles that underlie it.

The work is less a strict history lesson than a clever commentary on the pretensions of politics and the fickle nature of fame. Shaw uses the larger‑than‑life persona of Catherine—part ruler, part performer—to expose the gap between lofty liberal rhetoric and the messy realities of governance. The result is a sparkling blend of humor and insight that invites listeners to laugh while they contemplate the timeless dance between authority and absurdity.