Adapted from the correspondence of George Bernard Shaw and arguably his greatest love, the famed actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Dear Liar consists primarily of the actual letters read (acted out would be more accurate) by the two performers. Shaw had seen Mrs. Campbell in London in several plays, fell in love with her across the footlights and began a correspondence with her. The implication is that the relationship went much farther, but that element is left ambiguous. One critic felt Mrs. Campbell was the only woman who threatened Shaw's marriage. Shaw began writing roles for Mrs. Campbell, including Eliza in Pygmalion, which some feel was her greatest role. Some excerpts from Pygmalion, with actress Marian Seldes as Mrs. Campbell doing the required broad Cockney accent provide the funniest moments of the evening.
The early letters of the piece offer light banter, then build to more serious moments as the relationship deepens. Very moving is Mrs. Campbell's account of her son's death in World War I, as is GBS's outraged reaction. Later, when the actress is desperate for money she publishes some of the letters. This causes a rift, at least temporarily. Shaw resumes the correspondence, writing, "Let's not quarrel until we are dead." With Donal Donnelly portraying Shaw (as he'd done a few seasons back in his one-man show, "My Astonishing Self,") and the regal, theatrical Seldes as Mrs. Patrick Campbell, the two character show, under Charlotte Moore's expansive direction, provides an evening's entertainment that's both solid and light. Mrs. Seldes' costumes, by David Toser, are elegant, lending the proper period note to the piece.
