An Ideal Husband
By Oscar Wilde
1st - 22nd August 2009
SYNOPSIS
"An Ideal Husband" was the sixth of seven plays written by Oscar Wilde. It was written in a little over three months between November 1893 and February 1894.
Wilde wrote the play for the actor-manager John Hare, but when he turned it down, Wilde offered it to another actor-manager, Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Tree liked the play very much, but because of prior committments could neither produce nor act in it.
However, he did recommend the play to Lewis Wilder and H H Morell who were to run his theatre, the Haymarket, whilse he was abroad.
They agreed to produce it as the first play for 1895 and planned to open it soon after Christmas. It was an immediate success with the Prince Of Wales attending the opening night and who personally congratulated Wilder after the performance.
The play ran for 111 performances at the Haymarket, closing on 6th April 1895 - coincidentally the day of Wilde's arrest.
It was then scheduled to transfer to the Criterion Theatre but the resulting scandel of the trial forced the management to close it down after only two weeks.
Since those days the play has been constantly revived and was filmed by Alexander Korda. There are also several video versions available and a fine BBC version
CAST
| Sir Robert Chiltern |
|
John Tamahere |
| Viscount Goring |
|
Julian Toy-Cronin |
| The Earl of Caversham |
|
Denys Hoskins |
| Lady Gertrude Chilltern |
|
Merrin Cavel |
| Miss Mabel Chiltern |
|
Alexandra Birchfield |
| Mrs Cheveley |
|
Dorren Kemeys |
| Mrs Marchmount |
|
Maragaret Ussher |
| Vicompte de Nanjac |
|
Carl Drake |
| Countess of Basildon |
|
Donna Verrey |
| Mr Montford |
|
Bruce Coventry |
| Mason |
|
Michael Barber |
| Phipps |
|
Matthew Poole |
| Duchess Maryborough |
|
Elli Aloupis |
| Lady June Barford |
|
Sharyn Pelham |
CREW
| Director |
|
Brian O'Connor |
| Production Assistant |
|
Tracy Lee Gray |
| Stage Manager |
|
Annie Whittaker
Lisa Inman
|
| Technical Operators |
|
Robyn Bull
Peter Allen-Baines
Alison Laxon
|
| Set Decor |
|
Brian O'Connor
Jeni Cottier |
| Set Design |
|
Roy Dillon |
| Set Painting |
|
Norman Fairley
Faye Luton |
| Lighting Design |
|
Des Hudson
Dave Powell |
| Sound Design |
|
David Moncrieff-Driscoll |
| Props Design |
|
Sharyn Pelham |
| Props Assistant |
|
Alli Aloupis |
| Wardrobe Design |
|
Jeni Cottier |
| Wardrobe Assistant |
|
Robyn Fleming |
| Front of House |
|
Jan Saussey |
| Reservations |
|
Helen and Bill Stilwell |
| Box Office |
|
Gwen Dillon |
| Gala Bookings |
|
Peter Goodier |
| Photography |
|
Barry Spring |