For Gertrude Chiltern, living by the highest moral standards is more important than anything: wealth, status – even love. She is fortunate, then, that her husband, Sir Robert, is the embodiment of her ideal: a junior Cabinet minister of growing influence, he enjoys a reputation for scrupulous honesty. Read more …
But is that reputation entirely deserved? The notorious Mrs. Cheveley has good reason to think otherwise. And at a reception at the Chilterns` London townhouse, Mrs. Cheveley confronts Sir Robert with damning evidence of a past misdeed; evidence which, if made public, would destroy his career - and his marriage - at a stoke.
Even worse, the price for Mrs. Cheveley`s silence is not money, but a political favour that would require Sir Robert to ‘mislead’ the Government.In despair, Sir Robert turns for help to his friend, Lord Goring, a foppish socialite of some renown. Goring, it transpires, knows Mrs. Cheveley of old and has a plan to help Sir Robert.
But Goring`s clever proposal has unexpected consequences. And he, Sir Robert and Gertrude have to engage in a complex and dangerous game with the vicious Mrs. Cheveley – a game in which the stakes could not be higher . . .
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde is a dark, glittering comedy which explores the risks inherent in a life lived in the public spotlight: must a politician be perfect? Is it right that anyone should be judged entirely by their past? In 1895, such questions caused a sensation; with new questions about political integrity now dominating our own age, this elegant, stylish work retains a surprisingly sharp contemporary resonance.
Richard Baron's production comes into its own in the second half, as Wilde's melodrama makes way for his wit and wisdom.
It is always a delight to re-encounter the Wilde one-liners,but it does get a bit verbose and, as as result, the action tends to flag.
It looks so absolutely gorgeous, and does no violence tot he play in the process.
This is a production in which the characters in general are too aware of their own ridiculousness.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry from Thursday July 15, 2010, until Friday October 15, 2010. Playing in repertoire. Check with theatre for dates and times.. More info: www.pitlochry.org.uk
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