Review: An Ideal Husband, at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Oscar Wilde's political and social comedy — the precursor to The Importance Of Being Earnest — is given a lavish treatment by Pitlochry as the story unfolds of politician Sir Robert Chiltern whose parliamentary position and wealth has been founded on corruption.
- By Joy Watters, arts reporter
- Published in the Courier : 22.07.10
- Published online : 22.07.10 @ 07.39pm
As a young man he sold a government secret and the truth comes back to haunt him through flame-haired blackmailing temptress, Mrs Cheveley.
There is no Chiltern Inquiry, though — just a frantic 24 hours as family and friends attempt to stop to the blackmail of the Foreign Affairs under-secretary with emphasis on the nature of politics and the requisite self-interest.
Pitlochry has certainly chosen the right moment as the Commons expenses scandal rumbles on.
Wildean epigrams abound, particularly in the character of Lord Goring, the bachelor gay and friend of the Chilterns, who sorts everyone out insisting that love is the key — as he puts it, "to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
The initial scenes have a stiffness as the order of late Victorian society is established and characters glide on and off, the ladies sporting extraordinarily opulent costumes.
Chiltern is presented as a decent sort adored by his wife, Gertrude, before the past comes back to haunt him.
Moral and emotional differences between men, the sexes, and public and private honour are examined.
Chiltern reproaches his wife for her moral rectitude, asking, "Why can't you women love us, faults and all? Why do you place us on moral pedestals?"
There is a complicated plot which snakes back and forwards but it all ends up happily, once each character has rebuked their nearest and dearest for being themselves.
Richard Baron's production comes into its own in the second half, as Wilde's melodrama makes way for his wit and wisdom.
Martine McMenemy has a lovely vindictive edge to her intimidating adventuress, while Jennifer Rhodes encapsulates the pale, concerned and slightly dull aspects of a woman ruled by conscience.
Graham Vick's Chiltern does not have the gravitas of the Victorian politician, going for more of a Professor Higgins approach.
Meanwhile David Malcolm as Goring, the unlikely lady's man, makes the most of his lines-whizzing about like an ice skater in a performance that would make a row of tents green with envy.
Photos courtesy of Douglas McBride/Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
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