1896’s feminism piercingly relevant at Cal Shakes

[...] is the pioneering vision and progressivism of playwright Bernard Shaw in “You Never Can Tell,” now at Cal Shakes.

Under Lisa Peterson’s direction, he more than pulls it off.

Written in 1896, this “Play Pleasant” (yes, he also wrote “Plays Unpleasant”) follows renowned reformer Mrs. Clandon (Elizabeth Carter) as she introduces her cheeky Madeiran children to life in an English seaside resort.

Tell that to the century of male writers who followed Shaw yet still can’t write a female character who isn’t a vehicle for a man’s journey.