An Ideal Husband

Published Wednesday 19 December 2007 at 12:00 by Natalie Anglesey

Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, provides the perfect Christmas alternative entertainment with its luxurious designs, extravagant costumes and cut glass wit, as iridescent as the eight chandeliers which dominate the opening scenes.

In fact, if you analyse it, this is as much a triumph of good against evil, as any pantomime.

Simon Higlett’s breath-taking designs are reflected in the black marble floor which mirrors an opening silver and grey set, contrasting with the warm red and gold of Goring’s residence.

Artistic Director, Braham Murray, skilfully points up the enduring themes of moral and political corruption, which appear as relevant today. Award winning Joanna Riding steals the play as the mysterious Mrs Cheveley. She delivers her lines with a deftness of touch and a charming smile, whilst sweeping about in the only colourful costumes allowed in the initial monochromatic design.

Simon Robson plays the upright Sir Robert Chiltern with sincerity and believably crumbles with remorse when his secret is revealed. Rae Hendrie is a rather pale Lady Chiltern, stiff with moral rectitude, but Milo Twomey, as the Wildean Lord Goring, relishes all the best lines.

Congratulations to the stage crew for speedy scene changes but the cast needs to sharpen up entrances in the first half so there isn’t a drop in the pace essential for Wilde’s sparkling wit. However all was redeemed in the second half, with its scything verbal interplay, making the evening a delight.