AN IDEAL HUSBAND. Tour to 29 November.
Tour.
AN IDEAL HUSBAND
by Oscar Wilde.
Tour to
Runs: 2hr 50min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary: 15 September 2008.
The “gospel of gold” versus integrity in public life? It resonates today.
A lot of people will agree that this is Wilde’s best play. Although it manages to be very funny - in this production particularly in the second half - it’s less outwardly trivial than his others.
Although at times you feel that the characters are more like epigram machines than people, the whole thing’s about the “gospel of gold” versus idealism, political corruption versus integrity in public life. There’s also the redemptive power of love.
It resonates today.
There’s a golden feel to the set, which between scenes is dominated by a huge Queen Victoria coin. The Empire is at its zenith; small wonder that the main background music is that noble opening section from Elgar’s First Symphony.
The production’s a bit slow and un-snappy in the first half and in the opening scene there’s some inadequate projection, but after the break director Mark Piper allows his touring account of Peter Hall's production to move at the right pace.
Lord Goring, in contrast to the loving but sanctimonious Lady Chiltern (a beautiful and elegant Carol Royle), is, paradoxically, the moral centre of the play. Robert Duncan makes him not only dissolute - with his long blonde mane of untidy hair he looks like an ageing rocker - but an overtly comic character.
His encounters with his butler (Paul Aves) and with his disapproving father, the Earl of Caversham (Tony Britton) are almost set piece routines.
Michael Praed, as always, looks good in his suits - all the costumes are sumptuous - but, more importantly, as Sir Robert Chiltern he gives a fine, well controlled performance. His voice is dignified and unforced.
As Mrs Cheveley, Kate O’Mara looks too doll-like, particularly at the start, but she’s more convincing later on when she’s trying to tempt her ex-lover Lord Goring back to bed.
It’s a production that never fails to be visually attractive.
Sir Robert Chiltern: Michael Praed.
Lady Chiltern: Carol Royle.
Miss Mabel Chiltern: Isla Carter.
Earl of Caversham: Tony Britton.
Lord Goring: Robert Duncan.
Mrs Cheveley: Kate O’Mara.
Lady Markby: Fenella Fielding.
Vicomte de Nanjac: James Dinsmore.
Lady Basildon: Maev Alexander.
Mrs Marchmont: Abi Harris.
Mr Montford/Phipps: Paul Aves.
Mason: Robert Aldous.
James/Mr Barford: Dominic Gerard.
Duchess of Maryborough: Diana Brooks.
Lady Jane Barford: Emily McMorrough.
Director: Peter Hall.
Designer: Carl Toms.
Lighting Designer: Matt Drury.
Costume Designer: Trish Wilkinson.
2008-09-17 02:42:33