Monday, June 1

Tag: An Ideal Husband

An Ideal Husband – Lyric Hammersmith
London

An Ideal Husband – Lyric Hammersmith

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde is given a fresh and contemporary adaptation at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, blending Wilde’s classic wit with modern cultural references and humour. The story follows London high society as the mysterious Mrs Cheveley returns, using blackmail and manipulation to gain influence and expose secrets hidden beneath society’s polished surface. Visually, the production is striking. Although the set is relatively minimal, it feels grand enough to reflect the wealth and prestige of London society. The elegant tiled flooring and open staging successfully create the atmosphere of lavish drawing rooms. The costumes are another major highlight, filled with sophistication and extravagance that perfectly capture the glamour and excess associated with the upper classes. ...
An Ideal Husband – New Wimbledon Theatre
London

An Ideal Husband – New Wimbledon Theatre

What relevance could a play written 130 years ago possibly have today? But then, that is the magic of Oscar Wilde, giving us themes that stay relevant through the ages, food for thought for days. When Lady Markby remarked that society has become over-populated and that “someone should arrange a proper scheme of assisted emigration”, it certainly hit a nerve and prompted a few uncomfortable chuckles in the audience. Directed by Patrick Brione, the Carlton Theatre Group’s production of An Ideal Husband is rich in talent and rides the waves of wit and melodrama with flair. Sir Robert Chiltern’s perfect life hangs in the balance as the scheming Mrs Cheveley threatens him with social and political ruin. She blackmails him with a letter from his past in order to force his support for a canal ...