Brisbane review - Audience Entertained by Classic Oscar Wilde

By Lilian Harrington

Production:   An Ideal Husband

Writer:           Oscar Wilde

Company:     St Lukes Theatre Society

Director:       Matthews Hobbs

Location:       St Lukes Ekibin,193 Ekibin Rd. Tarragindi East.

Season:          August 28 -September 12 Fri & Sat  

                        Evgs. 7 .30 pm and Mats 2 pm (Sat).

Bookings:        Try booking / or 0493778379

Oscar Wilde’ s classic play has proved very popular over the years; It’s not just because it features the social customs, expectations and etiquette of the era, but it’s because Wilde’s plays explore topics that still have relevance today. St Luke’s Theatre Society has staged An Ideal Husband, under the direction of Matthew Hobbs and design by Susan Hobbs. They have put together a well-constructed production that keeps the audience interested and wanting to know more.

It is set in the home of politician, Sir Robert and Lady Gertrude Chiltern, and also at the home of Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert’s friend. Sir Robert Chiltern (Alex Thompson), is a well-respected and wealthy member of the British House of Commons. His wife Gertrude (Elaine Mullins), worships him, she doesn’t question him, but believes he is honest and morally perfect. At a high society event which he hosts at his home, Sir Robert finds himself confronted by Mrs. Cheveley (Sophie Parker), a woman with a dubious past, but who now has a position of influence on the continent.

 Her intention is to blackmail Sir Robert and expose a crime he committed some years earlier when he sold a government secret and got his wealth from it, if he doesn’t speak in favor of a fake, fraudulent, canal project in Argentina, in Parliament.  He faces a dilemma; besides he has to contend with his dutiful wife demanding he speak against the Canal project. His friend Lord Goring (Giorgio Impiccini), tries to help him, but he realizes that the notorious Mrs. Cheveley, who he had once known intimately, had stolen a diamond brooch from one of his relatives; he sees an opportunity to use this as leverage against her, in order to get her to surrender a letter intended to ruin his friend Robert, before it causes more political embarrassment for him.

The show opens to the warm and welcoming Lady Olivia Basildon (Ellie Bickerdike), and Lady Margaret Markby (Natalie Pedler), who interact with the audience as they make their way through the auditorium to the social function at the Chiltern Home. Lady Markby brings Mrs. Cheveley along with her, much to the disgust of Lady Chiltern and Lord Goring, who have both known her previously. The pace and intention pick up as Mrs. Cheveley tries to negotiate a “dark deal” with Robert Chiltern. She is played by (Sophie Parker), with a well-paced and quite firm in her approach and uses the stage to advantage. Robert has a lot to contend with as he paces about the stage in some distress. His followers cannot fault him, but his past weighs him down. He shows this uncertainty in his body language and vocals. Lord Arthur Goring, his friend, contrasts well with Robert. He is seen as a wealthy, charismatic, ladies’ man, a rake, with no real sense of responsibility, but he forms an integral role in this play, because he demonstrates that he can use his previous relationship with Mrs. Cheveley, to advantage; he values his friendship with Robert and Gertrude, and he wants to help save him from certain public demise if Mrs. Cheveley succeeds. Giorgio Impiccinic, demonstrated Wilde’s opinions and beliefs with confidence and energy.  This energy and the unexpected plot twists, kept the audience engaged and made for good entertainment.