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You Never Can Tell: A Comedy in Four Acts
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781026099735
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 128
Weight: 0.42
Height: 0.27 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
You Never Can Tell: A Comedy in Four Acts is one of Bernard Shaw's most delightful and lighthearted plays, blending sharp social commentary with the classic structures of a drawing-room comedy. Set at a seaside resort, the narrative follows the unexpected reunion of the unconventional Clandon family-who have spent the last eighteen years in Madeira-with their long-estranged father. At the heart of the play is Valentine, a penniless young dentist, who finds himself entangled in a battle of wits and romantic pursuit with the eldest Clandon daughter, Gloria, a self-proclaimed New Woman committed to logic and modern independence.
Through sparkling dialogue and humorous situations, Shaw explores themes of social class, parental authority, and the shifting dynamics of Victorian society. While less overtly political than some of Shaw's weightier works, the play remains a masterclass in characterization and irony, gently mocking the rigid conventions governing marriage and respectability. You Never Can Tell: A Comedy in Four Acts showcases Shaw's ability to subvert theatrical tropes, replacing melodramatic clichés with intellectual vitality. It remains a staple of the comedic stage, celebrated for its enduring wit and its vibrant depiction of the complexities of human relationships.
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