Scannáin

Shaw Festival London 2026 – An evening of two Films about Shaw + Q&A

Opening Shaw Festival London 2026, this special evening features two films about George Bernard Shaw followed by a Q&A; the festival will be officially opened by Dame Siân Phillips, the celebrated actress and Vice-President and Trustee of The Shaw Society. Presented by the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith in partnership with The Shaw Society.

To celebrate the Centenary of George Bernard Shaw receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature 1926, The Irish Cultural Centre, in partnership with The Shaw Society, will host the first “Shaw Festival London” from July 10th –12th, 2026. The three day festival will feature a
programme of theatre, films, and lectures, celebrating the rich legacy of the award-winning playwright, author, satirist and critic, George Bernard Shaw.

Q&A
The evening will be followed by a Q&A with The Shaw Society’s Vice-Chair Murray Rosenthal, who will be in conversation with Neil Titley to talk about George Bernard Shaw and his personal links to the great man.

The evening will be opened by Maureen Clark-Darby, Chair of The Shaw Society.

“An Interview with Sir Michael Holroyd” on Film
Directed by Neil Titley: Length 30mins: Year 1988.
Michael Holroyd is seen in-conversation with Neil Titley. Sir Michael Holroyd is famed for his biographies, especially that of George Bernard Shaw. His distinguished career has included becoming President of The Royal Society of Literature, President of The Shaw Society and Honorary Patron of The Oscar Wilde Society. His awards include the 2001 Heywood Hill Literary Prize and the 2005 David Cohen Prize for literature. In 2006, he was awarded The Golden PEN Award for “a Lifetime’s Distinguished Service to Literature” In 2007 he received a Knighthood. This interview is studded with his fascinating insights into the great writer and dramatist, George Bernard Shaw.

‘Shaw’s Corner’ – Film
Written by Neil Titley: Performed by Dermot Walsh
Directed by Antony Sellers; Televised in 1988: Length 45mins
This one man show was adapted from the writings of G.B Shaw by Neil Titley; it was created in 1987 and first performed as a stage play by the poet and actor Malcolm Wroe. This Arts Channel TV production stars the great Irish Abbey Theatre actor and movie star Dermot Walsh, (1924- 2002) who plays Shaw at the end of his life. Well known in the title role of the 1960s series ‘Richard the Lionheart’, in 1949, Walsh appeared in the first production of ‘Buoyant Billions’, overseen by G.B Shaw himself. This powerful and moving film was eventually broadcast in over twenty countries.

Fri 10 July 2026

Doors: 7.30pm; Starts: 8pm

Tickets: £10 OR £30 Festival Ticket

About Neil Titley

Neil Titley has been involved for over 35 years in writing, acting, and directing solo shows, in particular his well-known performance as Oscar Wilde. His one man show has been performed in hundreds of venues across the world, including the USA, India, Hong Kong, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Bahrain, Ethiopia and most recently, in 2017, Canada.

Portrait of Neil Titley standing at a podium

Siân Phillips

Dame Sian Phillips portrait Shaw Society Festival LondonDame Siân Phillips the celebrated actress and Vice-President and Trustee of The Shaw Society, will officially open the inaugural  “George Bernard  Shaw Festival – London 2026”, which is taking place here at the Irish Cultural Centre from July  10th to 12th   

Siân has a long history of performing in the plays of George Bernard Shaw, featuring in many iconic roles. The Shaw Society says …”Sian captivated audiences with her unforgettable portrayal of Hesione Hushabye opposite John Gielgud in a 1977 BBC Play of the Month production of Shaw’s Heartbreak House. Her exceptional performances in St Joan in 1958 and in Major Barbara at the National Theatre in 1982 have solidified her reputation as an accomplished Shavian and a true luminary of the British stage”. 

 Siân actively supports The Shaw Society’s mission and efforts to preserve and celebrate the legacy and works of George Bernard Shaw. Siân is delighted to be officially opening the first ever “Shaw Festival – London”.

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