Old ways, new ways, nothing changes

The Henley Players present An Ideal Husband

Kenton Theatre

Tuesday, October 21/To Saturday, October 25

Don’t put your husband on a pinnacle. The same goes for politicians. They are bound to fall and may well take your dreams with them – beware. The Henley Players put on a classic performance of An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde at the Kenton Theatre this week – classic in that we were treated to flouncy dresses and lots of sparkly jewellery (beautifully costumed by Jenny Haywood).

John Timewell, the director, wisely chose to stick with Wilde’s brilliant and witty script, written in 1895 but as relevant in our confused world of today as it was then. The cast made the most of every epigram by Wilde working them seamlessly into the production.

The story, in case you don’t know it, centres on Sir Robert Chiltern, whose career in politics and in Victorian society is threatened by the appearance of Mrs Cheveley, a scheming minx (very well played by Gráinne Harling), whose threats of blackmail threaten Sir Robert, his career, his position and his marriage.

Enter his long-time playboy friend Viscount Goring (also very well played by Tim Harling) whose main frustration in life is the constant inappropriate interruptions to his days by his ageing father (amusingly played by Jonathan Ralph). Look out too for Phipps, the long-suffering valet – a memorable cameo performance by Mike Mungarvan.

The only slight grumble about this production is that there perhaps could be more of a climax at the end of the first act, when Lady Chiltern (Rowena McMenahim) argues with her husband before falling weeping (expertly) on to a chair. Surely no woman would just stand listening to her husband cataloguing his misdeeds? Wouldn't she try to interrupt him, wring her hands or something? I would.

Wilde redeems them all in the end as true Victorian comedy demanded. He excuses their past misdeeds at one stroke, saying that no one can be held accountable for misdeeds in their past. Some of us may disagree but in this play, Sir Robert Chiltern is saved by the love of his wife, Mrs Cheveley disappears without trace and life in polite society goes on. Would that the same could be said for the political and other intrigues of our lives today. Until Saturday, October 25.

Bridget Fraser