Joy Watters find much to both approve and disapprove of in Pitlochry Festival Theatre's production.
We are all in the audience and some of us are looking at a
star. Basienka Blake shines as the mysterious scarlet woman of Oscar Wilde's
play with a bold performance that dominates an uneven production, directed by
Richard Baron. Blake has the measure of Mrs Erlynne, the catalyst for Wilde's
commentary on Victorian hypocrisy and moralism and imbues it with a strength
lacking elsewhere.
Lady Windermere's Fan, written in 1892, was Wilde's first major theatrical success and boasts some of his most enduring epigrams. At Pitlochry, Adrian Rees’ design looms large, making a large statement about itself rather than a springboard for the action. A tribute to 19th century painting, it ranges from a giant image of motherhood for the Windermeres' house to large appliqued sunflowers on a costume. Another example of sheer excess is the interior of a gentleman's rooms, filled with gigantic erotic images and a huge constantly swinging censer which dwarf the actors.
The themes that inform Wilde's work should come from the characters' mouths unhampered rather than having to fight their way through gargantuan obstacles.
While Jessica Guise as young Lady Windermere gives an engaging modern reading to her role, the embodiment of a Victorian puritan, the contemporary approach is at times at odds with the nature of the character. Lady Windermere fears her husband is having an affair with the notorious Mrs Erlynne. However, the latter is revealed to be her Ladyship's mother, who ran off leaving her child.
Alex Scott Fairley fails to penetrate the solidity of Lord Windermere, making him rather a dullard and looking more like a butler than a Lord. The other characters, who people upper-crust society, breathe more life into their roles and the famous scene where the chaps return from the club to verbally thrust and parry armed with Wildean bon mots is a gem. Mark Elstob, who revels elsewhere in the repertoire with the words of Noel Coward, is particularly on point here, with an obvious relish for wit.
While the strength and acuity of Wilde's commentary on society does not fully emerge, the plot does and clearly held the attention of many in the audience.
Lady Windermere's Fan runs in repertoire until October.
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