With a landmark production staged by the National Theatre this summer, Saint Joan and Bernard Shaw are again in the public eye The New Mermaids series is first choice for A Level exam boards Saint Joan is Shaw's most famous play and the one that led directly to his Nobel prize. Thomas Mann, Brecht and Pirandello have all commented on its significance Regularly performed, studied and adapted to film - a literature staple

'What other judgment can I judge by but my own?' Charting the meteoric rise and fall of Joan of Arc and her mission to drive the English from France, Shaw's Saint Joan draws directly on the medieval records to cut through the sentiment that characterized previous literary treatments of her story. A powerful example of a new kind of history play, its staging of dissent and social constraint, personal responsibility and female assertion, as well as fervent adherence to a cause, gave it a powerful modernity in its own day and continuing resonance in ours. Acclaimed internationally, this instant modern classic propelled Shaw to the Nobel Prize for 1925. This new edition includes Shaw's definitive text and full Preface and provides the most comprehensive scholarly treatment of the play to date, featuring commentary on: * the historical and theatrical context * the development of the text and stage-worthiness of the play * correlation of the dialogue with the records of Jeanne D'Arc's trial * an international stage history * an appendix identifying the historical models for the characters