This year, Shaw's Corner, the National Trust property in Ayot St Lawrence Hertfordshire, is host to not one, but two, open-air theatre productions of George Bernard Shaw's plays this summer - The Apple Cart and The Devil's Disciple. The Apple Cart was Bernard Shaw's great political comedy, which anticipates many leading events of the 20th century. The monarchy, cabinet politics, big business corruption, and Anglo-American relations come under the microscope of Shaw's laser like wit, in a play which is as topical today as it was when created in 1929. The Devil's Disciple, on the other hand, is a very different play. A comedy-melodrama themed around the concept of heroism, set at the time of the American War of Independence, it has not been performed in many years. Walk in Shaw's footsteps
This year, there is also a chance to enjoy a leisurely evening stroll around George Bernard Shaw's garden and the neighbouring village of Ayot St Lawrence, led by staff at the house. Whilst living in Ayot St Lawrence Shaw produced a rhyming picture guide, which includes many photographs from his private collection taken during the first half of the 20th century. The guide is used during the walk, beginning: Now let me take you for a walk.
And show you with a rhyming talk
What our dear village has to shew
And tell you all you need to know The guide continues, highlighting many interesting features of village life including the Abbey Church, Brocket Arms, Manor House and Dower House whose best loved guest was Ann Boleyn. The walk, which lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours, ends with an external tour of Shaw's Corner, originally named the New Rectory, which Shaw describes as: Charm so far beyond my telling
That though in Ireland is my birthplace
This home shall be my final earthplace This walk offers a unique insight into what inspired the genius of this famous writer, and a chance to discover the landscape in which he lived. Shaw's Corner - my favourite spiritual place Shaw's Corner - Through the Keyhole | 
