Fanny’s First Play

Fanny’s First Play, written in 1911, is a clever meta-theatrical comedy by George Bernard Shaw. The play presents a group of critics watching a supposedly anonymous debut play—written by the fictional Fanny—within the story itself. The play-within-a-play satirizes Edwardian morality, youth rebellion, and social hypocrisy. Shaw’s use of irony, layered narrative, and sharp dialogue critiques both the theatrical establishment and rigid societal norms. Fanny’s First Play was a commercial success and remains an example of Shaw’s playful yet pointed approach to drama.