Tacoma Little Theatre (TLT) concludes its 91st season with George Bernard Shaw’s classic 19th-century play “Major Barbara.” Attending this play made me nervous for two reasons: it was written in the 19th century and by Shaw - which could have meant long, dry and outdated. However, TLT shattered my pre-judgments.

Director Scott Campbell shortened the play to a comfortable two and a half hours, making the story and experience more accessible to today’s hustle-and-bustle audiences.

The production is the story of Salvation Army Major Barbara Undershaft (Nicole Lockett) and her crafty father, millionaire weapons manufacturer Andrew Undershaft (Mike Slease). While visiting Barbara’s Salvation Army shelter for the poor, he revealed that the shelter’s benefactor made his money by distilling whiskey.

Lockett’s portrayal of a woman on a mission to save as many souls as she can is very convincing. Slease’s character of a rich, scheming patriarch is fantastic. A British accent can sometimes be hit or miss for American actors, but the attempt made by many of the actors was fairly accurate and did not sound forced.

Barbara’s mother, Lady Britomart (Betzy J. Miller), is an archetype of many 19th-century mother-like characters. She wants to see herself and her children supported with the finer things in life. Miller had one of the best accents of the night. She plays a strong, convincing mother and her on-stage chemistry played well against Slease’s father character.

The production boasted a colorful cast of supporting characters as well. Adolphus Cusins (Jonathan Paul Lee), Sarah Undershaft/Jenny Hill (Leischen C. Moore) and Stephen Undershaft (Kody Bringham) all added depth to the plot.

The most impressive feat is that several actors were challenged by performing a traditional, 19th-century Cockney accent. Although this accent was difficult to understand at times, the characters of Rummy Mitchens (Syra Beth Puett), Snobby Price (David Robertson) and Peter Shirley/Bilton (Darrel Shephard) displayed an impressive mastery of it.

One of the standout performances is that of John Munn’s Bill Walker and Charles Lomax. The latter character is a bumbling idiot of a man, who added needed comic relief. However, Bill Walker is an angry, disturbed degenerate with a general disrespect of women, religion and the upper classes. It is impressive how Munn effortlessly switched between these two vastly opposite characters. Munn’s portrayal of Walker is epitomized in a violent, rage-fueled performance during a scene in the second act. This is one of the best scenes in the production.

The stage decoration is modest, as most community theater productions are. However, the costuming is timely and detailed, which adds to the overall production.

The actors in TLT’s production of this 19th-century classic prove that Shaw’s ideas about the world are as timely and humorous as they were when he wrote them 100 years ago. This is a production that should not be missed.

“Major Barbara” plays through June 13. For more information visit www.tacomalittletheatre.com.