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Shaw's preface describes the play as:
...a comedy in which a King defeats an attempt by his popularly elected Prime Minister to deprive him of the right to influence public opinion through the press and the platform: in short, to reduce him to a cipher. The King's reply is that rather than be a cipher he will abandon his throne and take his obviously very rosy chance of becoming a popularly elected Prime Minister himself.
...a comedy in which a King defeats an attempt by his popularly elected Prime Minister to deprive him of the right to influence public opinion through the press and the platform: in short, to reduce him to a cipher. The King's reply is that rather than be a cipher he will abandon his throne and take his obviously very rosy chance of becoming a popularly elected Prime Minister himself.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1929
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468 people want to read
About the author
George Bernard Shaw
1,992 books4,125 followersGeorge Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, socialist, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama. Over the course of his life he wrote more than 60 plays. Nearly all his plays address prevailing social problems, but each also includes a vein of comedy that makes their stark themes more palatable. In these works Shaw examined education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege.
An ardent socialist, Shaw was angered by what he perceived to be the exploitation of the working class. He wrote many brochures and speeches for the Fabian Society. He became an accomplished orator in the furtherance of its causes, which included gaining equal rights for men and women, alleviating abuses of the working class, rescinding private ownership of productive land, and promoting healthy lifestyles. For a short time he was active in local politics, serving on the London County Council.
In 1898, Shaw married Charlotte Payne-Townshend, a fellow Fabian, whom he survived. They settled in Ayot St. Lawrence in a house now called Shaw's Corner.
He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938). The former for his contributions to literature and the latter for his work on the film "Pygmalion" (adaptation of his play of the same name). Shaw wanted to refuse his Nobel Prize outright, as he had no desire for public honours, but he accepted it at his wife's behest. She considered it a tribute to Ireland. He did reject the monetary award, requesting it be used to finance translation of Swedish books to English.
Shaw died at Shaw's Corner, aged 94, from chronic health problems exacerbated by injuries incurred by falling.
An ardent socialist, Shaw was angered by what he perceived to be the exploitation of the working class. He wrote many brochures and speeches for the Fabian Society. He became an accomplished orator in the furtherance of its causes, which included gaining equal rights for men and women, alleviating abuses of the working class, rescinding private ownership of productive land, and promoting healthy lifestyles. For a short time he was active in local politics, serving on the London County Council.
In 1898, Shaw married Charlotte Payne-Townshend, a fellow Fabian, whom he survived. They settled in Ayot St. Lawrence in a house now called Shaw's Corner.
He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938). The former for his contributions to literature and the latter for his work on the film "Pygmalion" (adaptation of his play of the same name). Shaw wanted to refuse his Nobel Prize outright, as he had no desire for public honours, but he accepted it at his wife's behest. She considered it a tribute to Ireland. He did reject the monetary award, requesting it be used to finance translation of Swedish books to English.
Shaw died at Shaw's Corner, aged 94, from chronic health problems exacerbated by injuries incurred by falling.
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June 29, 2025
Every star has its own orbit; and between it and its nearest neighbor there is not only a powerful attraction but an infinite distance. When the attraction becomes stronger than the distance the two do not embrace: they crash together in ruin.
The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza ~~~ George Bernard Shaw
#5 of my 2018 Shaw Project
This is an extraordinary time to read The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza, George Bernard Shaw’s political comedy on a government in crisis.
In The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza a left wing cabinet is set to stop the King, Magnus, from offering an independent opinion to his subjects, particularly one which might open their eyes to what the government is up to.
Even better, there’s Proteus, the Prime Minister, a Scot, who’s indecisive, easily flattered and easily rattled into a tantrum. Remind you of anyone???
This is The Apple Cart as in don’t upset the apple cart ~~ or don't upset the status quo. Shaw wrote this in 1928, 10 years after the Great War when people thought they will never have to go through another Great War again because it was the war to end all wars. What he is talking about here is worse.
How so? Well, this play is about how big business inveigles itself into government to take control of things. It’s about Graft. Corruption. Greed ~~ the compliance of politicians to go along with it. Sound vaguely familiar? On top of this, Shaw added to this the monarchy, in this case King Magnus.
How Shaw maneuvers the arguments of all the players and pawns, and even creates a world for them ~~ a world that is so forward thinking ~~ even in our world ~~ is remarkable. Here we see the intellectual, smart, philosophical, wordy, pompous, erudite and funny Shaw at his very best. The first act is entitled: THE FUTURE. Remember Shaw wrote this in 1928 ~~ before Facebook could influence elections, Google and Twitter could manipulate facts, and big business, polluters and drug companies could get away with poisoning water, air and people.
Shaw’s philosophy here is fascinating as he can speaks eloquently through the mouth of a King, a slippery Prime Minister, the newest member of parliament and the smart, smart women.
The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza is a fine example of George Bernard Shaw at his very best.
The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza ~~~ George Bernard Shaw
#5 of my 2018 Shaw Project
This is an extraordinary time to read The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza, George Bernard Shaw’s political comedy on a government in crisis.
In The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza a left wing cabinet is set to stop the King, Magnus, from offering an independent opinion to his subjects, particularly one which might open their eyes to what the government is up to.
Even better, there’s Proteus, the Prime Minister, a Scot, who’s indecisive, easily flattered and easily rattled into a tantrum. Remind you of anyone???
This is The Apple Cart as in don’t upset the apple cart ~~ or don't upset the status quo. Shaw wrote this in 1928, 10 years after the Great War when people thought they will never have to go through another Great War again because it was the war to end all wars. What he is talking about here is worse.
How so? Well, this play is about how big business inveigles itself into government to take control of things. It’s about Graft. Corruption. Greed ~~ the compliance of politicians to go along with it. Sound vaguely familiar? On top of this, Shaw added to this the monarchy, in this case King Magnus.
How Shaw maneuvers the arguments of all the players and pawns, and even creates a world for them ~~ a world that is so forward thinking ~~ even in our world ~~ is remarkable. Here we see the intellectual, smart, philosophical, wordy, pompous, erudite and funny Shaw at his very best. The first act is entitled: THE FUTURE. Remember Shaw wrote this in 1928 ~~ before Facebook could influence elections, Google and Twitter could manipulate facts, and big business, polluters and drug companies could get away with poisoning water, air and people.
Shaw’s philosophy here is fascinating as he can speaks eloquently through the mouth of a King, a slippery Prime Minister, the newest member of parliament and the smart, smart women.
The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza is a fine example of George Bernard Shaw at his very best.
January 21, 2011
At the end of this little-known play, the US tears up the Declaration of Independence and asks to be readmitted as a member of the British Empire - thus, as Shaw astutely points out, in effect annexing Britain by means of a constitutional coup.
Would it work in practice? Maybe someone who knows more about the legal issues can comment. There are plenty more cute ideas too. Shaw was clearly having fun when he wrote it.
Would it work in practice? Maybe someone who knows more about the legal issues can comment. There are plenty more cute ideas too. Shaw was clearly having fun when he wrote it.
May 3, 2016
Actors love Shaw because he writes lines that are fun and "punchy." His characters have character, interesting quirks, edges - they are fully human. Even a minor play like "The Apple Cart" - which brims with the politics of Great Britain in the 1920s - is saturated with Shavian wit. Surely, if Shaw were alive today we would be sharing his brilliant epigrams and enjoying his latest satirical take on the contemporary political scene. Actually, many of his observations (in "The Apple Cart") from 85 years ago are strikingly relevant today.
"Got help England if she had no Scots to think for her."
"It is not the most ignorant national crowd that will come out on top, but the best power station; for you can't do without power stations, and you can't run them on patriotic songs and hatred of the foreigner, and guff and bugaboo, though you can run nationalism on nothing else."
"All the talent and genius of the country is bought up by the flood of unearned money. On that poisoned wealth talent and genius live far more luxuriously in the service of the rich than we in the service of our country. Politics, once the center of attraction for ability, public spirit, and ambition, has now become the refuge of a few fanciers of public speaking and party intrigue who find all the other avenues of distinction closed to them either by their lack of practical ability, their comparative poverty and lack of education, or, let me hasten to add, their hatred of oppression and injustice, and their contempt for the chicaneries and false pretenses of commercialized professionalism."
"Got help England if she had no Scots to think for her."
"It is not the most ignorant national crowd that will come out on top, but the best power station; for you can't do without power stations, and you can't run them on patriotic songs and hatred of the foreigner, and guff and bugaboo, though you can run nationalism on nothing else."
"All the talent and genius of the country is bought up by the flood of unearned money. On that poisoned wealth talent and genius live far more luxuriously in the service of the rich than we in the service of our country. Politics, once the center of attraction for ability, public spirit, and ambition, has now become the refuge of a few fanciers of public speaking and party intrigue who find all the other avenues of distinction closed to them either by their lack of practical ability, their comparative poverty and lack of education, or, let me hasten to add, their hatred of oppression and injustice, and their contempt for the chicaneries and false pretenses of commercialized professionalism."
December 8, 2019
Shaw’ın mesajı bugün için çok da anlamlı gelmiyor...
May 10, 2009
I was drawn to this by way of a story (a blog entry, really) of an open-source advocate who was attacked by a pair of people whose jobs depended on the tendency of certain proprietary systems to decay and malfunction; it was assured that there would be predictable demand for routine hands-on maintenance by expert repair personnel, and any alternative that did not have this problem was seen as a threat. The writer compared this to the parable of "Breakages, Limited" in Shaw's play "The Apple Cart" - i.e., this play. Breakages, Limited, is a company whose existence also depends on cleaning up after things that break, and which is threatened by improvements in quality or by anything that lessens the frequency of breakage. The success of Breakages, Limited gives it massive political power.
Breakages, Limited is only a minor element in this play. The play is an exposition of some of Shaw's thoughts on political structure and the dynamics of one political power structure vs another -- including the political power of capitalist entities. It's framed as a comedy, and it flows quickly and easily and gives a lot to think about. One such meta-thought is about how silly it is to think that so many ways we look at the world are new.
As with some (or all?) of the Shaw plays I've read (not that I've read all that many, just a handful), this one has a lengthy introduction - probably longer than the play itself - with deep explanations about the content of the play and the thoughts behind and around it. Ditto with epilogue material, tho not so lengthy. These surrounding notes are somewhat repetitive but nevertheless fascinating.
I read this, BTW, online, courtesy of Project Gutenberg.
Breakages, Limited is only a minor element in this play. The play is an exposition of some of Shaw's thoughts on political structure and the dynamics of one political power structure vs another -- including the political power of capitalist entities. It's framed as a comedy, and it flows quickly and easily and gives a lot to think about. One such meta-thought is about how silly it is to think that so many ways we look at the world are new.
As with some (or all?) of the Shaw plays I've read (not that I've read all that many, just a handful), this one has a lengthy introduction - probably longer than the play itself - with deep explanations about the content of the play and the thoughts behind and around it. Ditto with epilogue material, tho not so lengthy. These surrounding notes are somewhat repetitive but nevertheless fascinating.
I read this, BTW, online, courtesy of Project Gutenberg.
November 14, 2022
Who in the world but George Bernard Shaw would write a "political extravaganza" like The Apple Cart, half of whose action takes place at cabinet meetings?
The Apple Cart, more of a ramble on the themes of democracy and politics than a well-made play, charts a day in the lives of King Magnus of England and his closest associates. It begins with a "crisis" brewing in the papers and among the King's ministers, climaxes with a series of political maneuvers that would have done LBJ or Tricky Dick Nixon proud, and then wanes with a new looming crisis--a surprise that Shaw doesn't even try to work out. It's told in two acts and an interlude, each of them quite different thematically and stylistically from the others, which means that The Apple Cart is both looser and less satisfying that it could be.
But the stuff that gets talked about and articulated here! In Act I, the "crisis" revolves around the fact that the King has reminded the general population, in a speech, that he has the power of royal veto; his ministers are upset not that he has this power but that he has been talking about it. The Prime Minister, Proteus, gives Magnus an ultimatum, essentially forcing him to choose between being an absolute monarch, which he can not, or a figurehead "constitutional" monarch, which he will not. During the entertaining speechifying and posturing, Shaw's characters talk about all manner of interesting things, such as the dangers of big business, the worthlessness of most politicians, the public's fascination with royalty ("A king is not allowed the luxury of a good character. Our country has produced millions of blameless greengrocers but not one blameless monarch."), and the resemblance of any throng of common men to so many sheep. Shaw considers, but never decides, whether democracy can ever really work; and he debates (with startling prescience), the inertia of a complacent polity, well-fed by the spoils of their visionary imperialism.
The interlude finds Magnus in the company of his mistress, Orinthia; the feel of the piece now is high drawing room comedy, though there's still room for a kind of political discourse.
In the final act, we meet the king's wife, Queen Jemima, who is quite Orinthia's opposite, and we meet an ambassador from America with a proposition that I'll not reveal here. And then the King comes back to face his ministers, and lays them an ingenious trap that proves who is the superior player of political games. It's satisfying in its way, but it has almost nothing to do with the philosophizing of Act One, which I found problematic.
The Apple Cart, more of a ramble on the themes of democracy and politics than a well-made play, charts a day in the lives of King Magnus of England and his closest associates. It begins with a "crisis" brewing in the papers and among the King's ministers, climaxes with a series of political maneuvers that would have done LBJ or Tricky Dick Nixon proud, and then wanes with a new looming crisis--a surprise that Shaw doesn't even try to work out. It's told in two acts and an interlude, each of them quite different thematically and stylistically from the others, which means that The Apple Cart is both looser and less satisfying that it could be.
But the stuff that gets talked about and articulated here! In Act I, the "crisis" revolves around the fact that the King has reminded the general population, in a speech, that he has the power of royal veto; his ministers are upset not that he has this power but that he has been talking about it. The Prime Minister, Proteus, gives Magnus an ultimatum, essentially forcing him to choose between being an absolute monarch, which he can not, or a figurehead "constitutional" monarch, which he will not. During the entertaining speechifying and posturing, Shaw's characters talk about all manner of interesting things, such as the dangers of big business, the worthlessness of most politicians, the public's fascination with royalty ("A king is not allowed the luxury of a good character. Our country has produced millions of blameless greengrocers but not one blameless monarch."), and the resemblance of any throng of common men to so many sheep. Shaw considers, but never decides, whether democracy can ever really work; and he debates (with startling prescience), the inertia of a complacent polity, well-fed by the spoils of their visionary imperialism.
The interlude finds Magnus in the company of his mistress, Orinthia; the feel of the piece now is high drawing room comedy, though there's still room for a kind of political discourse.
In the final act, we meet the king's wife, Queen Jemima, who is quite Orinthia's opposite, and we meet an ambassador from America with a proposition that I'll not reveal here. And then the King comes back to face his ministers, and lays them an ingenious trap that proves who is the superior player of political games. It's satisfying in its way, but it has almost nothing to do with the philosophizing of Act One, which I found problematic.
September 25, 2025
George Bernard Shaw’s The Apple Cart, published in 1929, is a shockingly relevant political satire that proves humanity has learned little about governance in the 95 years since its premiere. In a world of corporate influence, cynical politicians, and populist fervor, Shaw’s play feels less like a historical artifact and more like a live broadcast from today’s political stage.
The story chronicles a fictional English king, Magnus, as he engages in a power struggle with his democratically elected Prime Minister and his cabinet. The ministers, driven by self-interest and corporate backers, attempt to strip the king of his right to speak publicly, effectively reducing him to a powerless figurehead. This is no noble clash of ideologies, but a shrewd game of manipulation, where all parties are more concerned with their own authority and public perception than with serving the people.
Shaw’s genius lies in his brutal, unwavering observation that, despite the changing trappings of power, the motivations of those who wield it have remained stubbornly static. He peels back the layers of democratic ideals to reveal the raw, ancient desire for control at its core. The play's piercing wit exposes the fragility of democracy in the face of corporate puppeteering and the rise of charismatic, media-savvy leaders—dynamics that feel perfectly at home in our own time.
For any reader who has grown disillusioned with modern politics, The Apple Cart is a powerful, if disheartening, reminder that the problems plaguing our systems are not new, but ancient. It serves as a sharp, incisive critique of how far we have truly come, suggesting that in our political evolution, we are still very much in the Stone Age.
The story chronicles a fictional English king, Magnus, as he engages in a power struggle with his democratically elected Prime Minister and his cabinet. The ministers, driven by self-interest and corporate backers, attempt to strip the king of his right to speak publicly, effectively reducing him to a powerless figurehead. This is no noble clash of ideologies, but a shrewd game of manipulation, where all parties are more concerned with their own authority and public perception than with serving the people.
Shaw’s genius lies in his brutal, unwavering observation that, despite the changing trappings of power, the motivations of those who wield it have remained stubbornly static. He peels back the layers of democratic ideals to reveal the raw, ancient desire for control at its core. The play's piercing wit exposes the fragility of democracy in the face of corporate puppeteering and the rise of charismatic, media-savvy leaders—dynamics that feel perfectly at home in our own time.
For any reader who has grown disillusioned with modern politics, The Apple Cart is a powerful, if disheartening, reminder that the problems plaguing our systems are not new, but ancient. It serves as a sharp, incisive critique of how far we have truly come, suggesting that in our political evolution, we are still very much in the Stone Age.
May 1, 2024
Bernard Shaw, The Apple Cart (1930).
:
I saw this copy on my friend @caylinofsanko ‘s bookshelf, and she was kind enough to lend it to me.
*SPOILERS*
The Apple Cart is a story about the cabinet of ministers trying to strip the monarch, king Magnus, of his remaining authorities and political powers in a new democracy. No more royal speeches, no more control over the press, and no more veto power. These are what the cabinet demands. Magnus decides not to "upset the apple cart." So he abdicates and joins the House of Commons as a commoner which only infuriates the cabinet as they now consider him to be a hypocrite.
Shaw’s play is more of a propaganda to promote his Fabian Socialism (Democratic socialism) through gradualist reforms in democracy. The critique of ‘Breakages, Limited’ is another powerful critique of rich corporates that owned politicians and thwarted technical progress.
I love reading Shaw’s brilliant Prefaces that accompany all his major texts. It gives an insight into the thoughts that came together to create the final text. There is also a character in the play called Lysistrata who holds the post of Powermistress General.
This is a serious political satire! 🤔
______________________________
#gbshaw #georgebernardshaw #theapplecart #booksbooksbooks #bernardshaw #bookeater #bookbox #bookaddict #booklovers #bookstagram #bookreader #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookdragons #bookalicious #bookblogging #bookaholic #readersofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookstagram #bookgrammer #bookgram #bookblog #booknook #fallreading #bookworm #bookpics #bookphotography
:
I saw this copy on my friend @caylinofsanko ‘s bookshelf, and she was kind enough to lend it to me.
*SPOILERS*
The Apple Cart is a story about the cabinet of ministers trying to strip the monarch, king Magnus, of his remaining authorities and political powers in a new democracy. No more royal speeches, no more control over the press, and no more veto power. These are what the cabinet demands. Magnus decides not to "upset the apple cart." So he abdicates and joins the House of Commons as a commoner which only infuriates the cabinet as they now consider him to be a hypocrite.
Shaw’s play is more of a propaganda to promote his Fabian Socialism (Democratic socialism) through gradualist reforms in democracy. The critique of ‘Breakages, Limited’ is another powerful critique of rich corporates that owned politicians and thwarted technical progress.
I love reading Shaw’s brilliant Prefaces that accompany all his major texts. It gives an insight into the thoughts that came together to create the final text. There is also a character in the play called Lysistrata who holds the post of Powermistress General.
This is a serious political satire! 🤔
______________________________
#gbshaw #georgebernardshaw #theapplecart #booksbooksbooks #bernardshaw #bookeater #bookbox #bookaddict #booklovers #bookstagram #bookreader #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookdragons #bookalicious #bookblogging #bookaholic #readersofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookstagram #bookgrammer #bookgram #bookblog #booknook #fallreading #bookworm #bookpics #bookphotography
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
Esta es una obra que le valió a Shaw ser considerado un monárquico. Quizá sea una de sus producciones más políticas, pero no deja de ser mordaz. Tenemos a un rey, llamado Magnus, que cada vez es reducido en sus funciones reales. Tan así que sus ministros se reúnen para discutir sobre "la crisis" que deben resolver.
Esa crisis es convertirlo de una vez en una figura sin voz, totalmente decorativa, e implantar una república. Vean nada más que planteamiento tan radical. Lo que pasa es que nadie escapa de ser revisado con el ojo crítico: tanto la realeza como la democracia son juegos de poder, sutiles a veces, pero que siempre encuentran la manera de hacer un cochinero y sacar tajada.
La solución es favorable al rey, pero ya desde aquí se puede notar el futuro de esas monarquías. Shaw la escribió todavía en 1924, o sea, un poco se cumple ese escenario en el que los reyes son meros apoyos morales dentro del juego político. Shaw siempre se guarda cosas raras para el final, ahí más o menos vemos un futuro distópico en el que se intenta crear una sola nación de países con lengua inglesa. Quizá ya estaba oliéndose los planes expansionistas que acabarían en la I y II Guerra Mundial.
No fui tan fan de esta obra porque siento que se enredaba mucho para que sus personajes dijeran sus ideas políticas. Creo que era más sencillo de lo que quiso hacer, de hecho, el rey Magnus se avienta grandes monólogos que más bien parecen arengas. Siempre se balancea porque sus personajes secundarios suelen ser agradables y tienen humor sin llegar a la comedia.
Buena obra que nos muestra una faceta más de este autor camaleónico.
Esa crisis es convertirlo de una vez en una figura sin voz, totalmente decorativa, e implantar una república. Vean nada más que planteamiento tan radical. Lo que pasa es que nadie escapa de ser revisado con el ojo crítico: tanto la realeza como la democracia son juegos de poder, sutiles a veces, pero que siempre encuentran la manera de hacer un cochinero y sacar tajada.
La solución es favorable al rey, pero ya desde aquí se puede notar el futuro de esas monarquías. Shaw la escribió todavía en 1924, o sea, un poco se cumple ese escenario en el que los reyes son meros apoyos morales dentro del juego político. Shaw siempre se guarda cosas raras para el final, ahí más o menos vemos un futuro distópico en el que se intenta crear una sola nación de países con lengua inglesa. Quizá ya estaba oliéndose los planes expansionistas que acabarían en la I y II Guerra Mundial.
No fui tan fan de esta obra porque siento que se enredaba mucho para que sus personajes dijeran sus ideas políticas. Creo que era más sencillo de lo que quiso hacer, de hecho, el rey Magnus se avienta grandes monólogos que más bien parecen arengas. Siempre se balancea porque sus personajes secundarios suelen ser agradables y tienen humor sin llegar a la comedia.
Buena obra que nos muestra una faceta más de este autor camaleónico.
March 27, 2019
El carro de las manzanas (The apple cart) de George Bernard Shaw.
Una reflexión sobre la monarquía y la república, escrita en torno a 1920... pero que en mi opinión no funciona como obra de teatro. Al llegar a la página 40 de las 100 de la obra (no cuento aquí las otras 33 del prefacio del autor) estaba tan aburrido que lo he tenido que dejar (bueno, he pasado la vista rápidamente por encima de lo que me quedaba por leer hasta el final).
Demasiada palabra (con algún parlamento de dos y hasta de cuatro páginas del tirón) y casi nada de acción. Bla bla bla en estado puro.
El propio prefacio ya se me hizo pesado, no ha envejecido bien durante este último siglo...
Teatro político del bueno, en mi opinión de lo mejor que he visto representado en España en mucho tiempo, es esto: https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleja...
Una reflexión sobre la monarquía y la república, escrita en torno a 1920... pero que en mi opinión no funciona como obra de teatro. Al llegar a la página 40 de las 100 de la obra (no cuento aquí las otras 33 del prefacio del autor) estaba tan aburrido que lo he tenido que dejar (bueno, he pasado la vista rápidamente por encima de lo que me quedaba por leer hasta el final).
Demasiada palabra (con algún parlamento de dos y hasta de cuatro páginas del tirón) y casi nada de acción. Bla bla bla en estado puro.
El propio prefacio ya se me hizo pesado, no ha envejecido bien durante este último siglo...
Teatro político del bueno, en mi opinión de lo mejor que he visto representado en España en mucho tiempo, es esto: https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleja...
April 16, 2024
A humorous play by George Bernard Shaw about the contradictions inherent in a constitutional monarchy. The cabinet of King Magnus is attempting to hogtie the royal family, but the King succeeds in putting one over on his cabinet. No one really wants to upset the apple cart in this play called The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza.
April 27, 2023
No sé por qué me ha venido a la memoria nuestro campechano rey emérito, al leer como el rey está mas que contento de ser solo una figura nada más, ya no se preocupará de complacer a quienes le eligen. Lo que él quiere es hacer como el embajador, no quiere gobernar sino que le gobiernen para conservar el poder.
La farsa de la democracia.
La farsa de la democracia.
May 31, 2017
Read it years ago.
November 27, 2017
A great play and a good read. I have a 1930 print by R & R Clark Limited Edinburgh !
August 31, 2024
Fascinating dive into past predictions of the political landscape. Fabulous characters and scintillating conversations
June 30, 2020
The narrative is set in the palace of King Magnus of England in the final quarter of the twentieth century. Paucity and dearth in England has been absolutely eradicated. Every citizen is privy to a life of comfort.
Yet all is not well with the world.
The Cabinet is in rebellion against the King who has been making speeches displaying fortitude of autonomy which the Cabinet cannot allocate to the constitutional monarch. The King has been critical of the government and expressing his personal opinions.
The Cabinet warns him against making any more such speeches and calls upon him to capitulate the royal veto. He asks for a few hours in which to mull over the matter. He then spends the afternoon with his mistress, Orinthia.
Then the King meets the Cabinet again. Before this meeting, the King has received the American Ambassador who brings the essential information that the United States has decided to cancel the ‘Declaration of Independence’ and rejoin the British Empire.
The Cabinet wants to know the King’s reply to their challenge. His reply is that he intends to relinquish. They are startled to hear this reply but they accept his decision.
Thereafter, comes another surprise for the Cabinet. The King tells them that he proposes to penetrate the arena of politics as a private citizen and to stand as an aspirant for Parliament at the forthcoming General Elections. That, truly, is the upsetting of the apple cart.
The Cabinet cannot authorize him to stand for the election because there is likelihood that, if he is elected and heads the mainstream party In the House of Commons, he would become the Prime Minister and would rule the country in his own way. The Cabinet therefore withdraws their ultimatum, and things remain they were. The American offer to rejoin the British Empire is just ignored.
The conflict in this play is between the virtue of Magnus and the lack of foresight of the Cabinet. The solution at the end of the play, which leaves things as they were at the beginning, is the solution which the British constitutional system provided centuries ago for its political problems and has maintained since: namely, a balance of power between an elected Parliament and a monarch who always has in reserve the right to withhold consent to any actor proposal which is unwise or dangerous from the point of view of public welfare, or which is arbitrary or ill-advised.
It is this system of check and counter cheek which the play maintains.
The Apple Cart was Shaw’s last major play; and it is political in character just as Saint Joan was religious.
Yet all is not well with the world.
The Cabinet is in rebellion against the King who has been making speeches displaying fortitude of autonomy which the Cabinet cannot allocate to the constitutional monarch. The King has been critical of the government and expressing his personal opinions.
The Cabinet warns him against making any more such speeches and calls upon him to capitulate the royal veto. He asks for a few hours in which to mull over the matter. He then spends the afternoon with his mistress, Orinthia.
Then the King meets the Cabinet again. Before this meeting, the King has received the American Ambassador who brings the essential information that the United States has decided to cancel the ‘Declaration of Independence’ and rejoin the British Empire.
The Cabinet wants to know the King’s reply to their challenge. His reply is that he intends to relinquish. They are startled to hear this reply but they accept his decision.
Thereafter, comes another surprise for the Cabinet. The King tells them that he proposes to penetrate the arena of politics as a private citizen and to stand as an aspirant for Parliament at the forthcoming General Elections. That, truly, is the upsetting of the apple cart.
The Cabinet cannot authorize him to stand for the election because there is likelihood that, if he is elected and heads the mainstream party In the House of Commons, he would become the Prime Minister and would rule the country in his own way. The Cabinet therefore withdraws their ultimatum, and things remain they were. The American offer to rejoin the British Empire is just ignored.
The conflict in this play is between the virtue of Magnus and the lack of foresight of the Cabinet. The solution at the end of the play, which leaves things as they were at the beginning, is the solution which the British constitutional system provided centuries ago for its political problems and has maintained since: namely, a balance of power between an elected Parliament and a monarch who always has in reserve the right to withhold consent to any actor proposal which is unwise or dangerous from the point of view of public welfare, or which is arbitrary or ill-advised.
It is this system of check and counter cheek which the play maintains.
The Apple Cart was Shaw’s last major play; and it is political in character just as Saint Joan was religious.
October 21, 2018
I don't really understand this play, but I like the arguments in the parliament and it's very interesting to see people argue with supposedly good manners.
"I do many things to please you that I should never do to please myself."
"Nothing ever happens in the cabinet."
"I do many things to please you that I should never do to please myself."
"Nothing ever happens in the cabinet."
February 5, 2016
When in heat of parliamentary debate a member is insulted for his race, he can point out much that is true - who is a native, and who is cultured, for instance.
A rational colleague may calmly point out that you are not white, but oatmeal at best. "Chinese call us Pinks; they flatter us". (In fact, the word in Chinese is not Pinks when they speak to other Chinese, it is "barbarian" or "foreign devil", when refering to race of European descent.)
A king might be tolerating a beautiful attractive mistress and far more at ease with the wife he is comfortable with.
When a popular monarch is persuaded to abolish monarchy it is just possible the monarch might stand for office and have all on office thouroughly routed.
Just a few of the gems from the play. Delightful as most work from the writer, and one of the most delightful at that.
Monday, September 22, 2008.
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A rational colleague may calmly point out that you are not white, but oatmeal at best. "Chinese call us Pinks; they flatter us". (In fact, the word in Chinese is not Pinks when they speak to other Chinese, it is "barbarian" or "foreign devil", when refering to race of European descent.)
A king might be tolerating a beautiful attractive mistress and far more at ease with the wife he is comfortable with.
When a popular monarch is persuaded to abolish monarchy it is just possible the monarch might stand for office and have all on office thouroughly routed.
Just a few of the gems from the play. Delightful as most work from the writer, and one of the most delightful at that.
Monday, September 22, 2008.
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August 1, 2016
I saw the play on television and was so impressed I immediately wanted to buy the book. So the next day, during my lunch break, I sought out a bookshop near my office in the City of London. The place I found was tucked away in a corner down a cobbled side street and inside there were books from floor to ceiling and piled up on tables. But when I told the man what I was looking for he went straight to a hardback copy and brought it over to me. At £1.25 (1971 prices) I was already delighted with my purchase, but when I got home and looked at it more closely I discovered it was a 1st edition. I treasure the memory of that delightful bookshop and its impressively efficient bookseller to this day!
July 26, 2023
The principal plot-point in this play is amid the quality and precision of Magnus and the muddle-headedness and lack of forethought of the Cabinet. The resolution at the conclusion of the play, which leaves things as they were at the start, is the clarification which the British constitutional system provided centuries ago for its political glitches and has upheld subsequently: namely, a balance of power between an elected Parliament and a monarch who always has in reserve (even though he may never have the circumstance to use) the right to suppress consent to any act or proposal which is imprudent or hazardous from the standpoint of public welfare, or which is random or ill-advised. It is this system of check and counter-check which the play maintains. The last of Shaw’s major plays.
November 10, 2009
Based on my first reading, I was ready to give this play 5 stars, but it did not hold up as well a decade later. It is a sometimes very funny satire on democracy, political gamesmanship, governance, business having the real power, and the sort of people drawn to power and the powerful, but these wonderful parts do not add up to a whole. More than worthwhile, and by all means debate its ideas (some parallels with the US in 2009 are striking, some are not), but the play is not as sharp as Shaw thought it was.
April 5, 2013
Written 100 years back. But so so relevant to timeless political establishment. Fell in love with the character King Magnus. One of the best things about these evergreen classics is they are written so fluid with such ingrained wisdom.
Though am happy with current crop of Indian English writers who are going easy on vocabulary and making it a comfortable read. Still its a long way to encompass such wit, truth and philosophy in easiest of instances quoted.
Eagerly looking for such writers in present times, who can write so timeless as Sir GB Shaw.
Though am happy with current crop of Indian English writers who are going easy on vocabulary and making it a comfortable read. Still its a long way to encompass such wit, truth and philosophy in easiest of instances quoted.
Eagerly looking for such writers in present times, who can write so timeless as Sir GB Shaw.
January 17, 2021
I'm not usually one for reading plays. This book did nothing but confirm my previously held prejudice. Having said that it's the first book I've read in a while that pre-dates ISBNs and it's slowly antiquing pages smell delicious and full of vanillin and other nice polyphenols.
The content is mediocre and suffers from being dated - I daresay a good job could be made of modernising it for a modern audience as the issues it addresses are still with us and I think its discourse on democracy could be expanded a great deal in the age of Big Tech and Social Media.
The content is mediocre and suffers from being dated - I daresay a good job could be made of modernising it for a modern audience as the issues it addresses are still with us and I think its discourse on democracy could be expanded a great deal in the age of Big Tech and Social Media.
April 27, 2015
I never cease to be amazed by how contemporary Shaw's work feels or the intelligence and scope of the female characters. While this political meditation ended up feeling long to me, I love portions of it. And I am fanatical about the "Interlude" that bisects the first and second acts. It is a perfect 15 or so pages between the king and his mistress and it is just everything I want to see onstage (of course my current favorite audition piece is pulled from this section).
October 10, 2019
Read this quite a while ago and thoroughly enjoyed, but had come back in light of the recent political situation here in the UK. I think that the role of Proteus as a prime minister attempting to remove the monarchy's remaining influence resonates quite well with Boris Johnson and Q.E. Not sure if Lizzy could be compared with King Magnus though, slightly different characters...
April 18, 2013
Okudugum en zekice kurgulanmis eserlerden biriydi. Gunumuz siyasi arenasinda olan seyleri o zamandan betimlemis diyebilecegimiz kitapta Kral Magnus karakterinin keskin zekasi cogu zaman gulumsetti. Bir gecede zevkle okuduklarimdandi...
Okuyani pisman etmeyecek kitaplardan.
Okuyani pisman etmeyecek kitaplardan.
September 9, 2008
His best play
November 26, 2012
I deem it to be a masterpiece of the Royalist Bernard Shaw! Of course I need to re-read it!
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