Theatre / Previews
Bold new adaptation of ‘An Ideal Husband’ sets Oscar Wilde’s classic play in contemporary London
First performed at the end of the 19th century, An Ideal Husband was an instant hit for Oscar Wilde – with its first staging at London’s Haymarket Theatre running to over 100 performances.
The numerous productions of the play since then would attest to the fact that both its popularity, and relevance, endures.
A bold and critically acclaimed new adaptation directed by Nicholai La Barrie, associate director of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, will arrive at Bristol Old Vic on June 10 for a 10-day run.
Barrie has transposed Wilde’s pin-sharp satire to present-day London, where the manipulative femme fatale Mrs Cheveley puts Sir Robert Chiltern’s reputation in high society at risk.
Bristol24/7 caught up with Chiké Okonkwo, who plays Sir Robert, Tiwa Lade, who plays his younger sister Mabel Chiltern, and Nimmy March, who is Lady Basildon, to discover more about putting a modern-day spin on a classic.
Tamara Lawrance as Lady Chiltern and Chike Okonkwo as her husband, Sir Robert Chiltern
How does it feel to be part of an all-black and mixed-race cast in this contemporary adaptation of an Oscar Wilde classic?
CO: “The key word here for me is contemporary. Any time you’re dealing with a classic text that strikes at its own time, while reflecting so keenly the times in which we now live, it feels like you’re working with something special. Words have that power to speak across generations, and even though the play was written 130 years ago, it’s been incredible feeling the resonances today.
“Since we are telling the story today, as well as setting it in London, 2026, to me, the cultural background of the individual artists on the stage becomes less relevant. Bringing our cultural specificity to the story has been fun, but really, the words do all the work.”
TL: “It’s been so fun and exciting. I love being part of stories where Black actors get to fully inhabit complex, joyful, messy, romantic characters without their blackness being the sole focus of the narrative. We’ve come such a long way in the kinds of stories we’re allowed to tell and exist in, so I feel really proud to be part of this production and this cast.”
NM: “This is my return to commercial theatre after a 32-year hiatus! It’s the first time I have ever been in an all-black and mixed-race cast in my career. In one sense, it’s like being in any other company. We are bonded by our mutual desire to co-create a great experience for the audience, while being true to the writer.
“However, there is an extra layer of joy in this company, a thrill and pride too because this is the first all-black and mixed-race production of An Ideal Husband. I feel overjoyed to be working with such a talented, bighearted company of actors.”
Suzette Llewellyn as Lady Markby and Nimmy March as Lady Basildon
What is it like working with director Nicholai La Barrie? Can you describe the energy in the rehearsal room so far?
CO: “From day one, Nicholai made it very clear that we were telling a story together. So we spent a lot of time digging into how our characters were connected beyond the life that we see on stage. Not only did it bond us terrifically as a company, but it also means there is a whole world that exists beyond the play, that I trust our audiences feel when we step on stage.
“Working with Nicholai has been a dream, and all of the love, and exuberance and excellence that spills out into the auditorium is a reflection of his joy in telling stories! It’s been a pleasure to be part of.”
TL: “Nicholai instantly made everyone feel at ease, which is such a gift in a rehearsal room because it allows people to feel safe, playful and open in their work. We spent a lot of time playing games and building trust early on, and as we gradually got up on our feet, I realised he’d created a genuine sense of family within the company.”
NM: “Nicholai is a very generous, thorough and playful director! It’s been an absolute delight working with him. He’s very open to all members of the company sharing thoughts and opinions about the whole play and characters, other than their own. He has cleverly put together a very caring, talented, fun cast, and his style of direction gives actors confidence and ownership of the play, and their part in creating a fine production. It feels like a wonderful, genuine collaboration.”
Jeff Alexander as the Earl of Caversham and Tiwa Lade as Mabel Chiltern
Can you introduce us to your character, and explain how you personally relate to the role?
CO: “Sir Robert Chiltern is every inch a ‘modern’ man. A man of ambition who has built up a venerable career in public service, and has all of the skills and ambitions to make it to the very top of political life.
“However, when confronted with a dark secret from his past, he finds himself asking questions that I think many people have had to ask themselves; questions about morality, and who gets a second chance. It’s a fascinating role, and one I’ve enjoyed playing because he’s not straightforward. Deep down though, I think he wants to do the right thing.”
TL: “Mabel Chiltern is a fireball – witty, romantic, impulsive and completely unapologetic about how she feels. She wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn’t care who sees it. I really admire that about her and hope to embody more of that confidence within myself as time goes by. I think that’s why I love playing her so much. There’s a real freedom in expressing love so openly and fearlessly.”
NM: “I play The Countess of Basildon. Far from being delicate or fragile as she is often described, our Lady Basildon is a delightfully opinionated elderly socialite, a close friend of Lady Markby and the Chilterns. She loves to banter with young Lord Goring and despairs at the faultless nature of her husband! I love playing her.”
Aurora Perrineau as Mrs Cheveley
There are 100 free tickets available to newcomers to Bristol Old Vic, over the first three performances of An Ideal Husband. For those unfamiliar with Wilde, or perhaps newcomers to the theatre, how would you describe it?
CO: “It’s energetic, funny, and full of big questions about society and life. Also, Bristol Old Vic is such an incredibly historic place to see a play like this, so it couldn’t be a better setting.”
TL: “Expect wit, chaos, romance and a really good time. It genuinely feels like a party and everyone is invited. Oscar Wilde was such a sharp and intelligent writer. He manages to explore love, politics, morality and relationships with so much humour and ease. You end up rooting for every character at different points. It’ll make you laugh, it might wind you up a little, but above all, it takes you on a real journey.”
NM: “Despite Oscar Wilde writing the play over 100 years ago, the themes in An Ideal Husband are still relevant and prevalent in today’s society: encompassing morality, love, corruption and more love! This modern production is fun, witty, insightful, and ultimately heartwarming. It’s also a visual delight, and the music is wonderful too.
Emmanuel Akwafo as Phipps and Jamael Westman as Lord Goring
What do you hope audiences might take away from this production?
CO: “I hope they have fun. That’s what theatre is for and it’s such an important part of staging a comic drama like this. I also think it’s interesting that there is nothing new under the sun; big ideas are cyclical, they come back up again and again throughout time.
“That might be comforting in some ways, as we get to see how these ideas land in a contemporary context. But also, it shows us that we’ve not come too far at all. Hopefully in sharing this play now, we get to all dig a little deeper into ourselves; that’s also what theatre is for!”
TL: “That it’s okay not to be okay. Come and watch it and you’ll see what I mean! Beneath all the glamour, chaos and comedy, these are people desperately trying to hold everything together – and I think there’s something very human and relatable in that.”
NM: “Audiences seem to leave feeling uplifted. But aside from being thoroughly entertained, I hope very much that the narratives within the play can inspire conversations about morality and accountability in government and the business world, as well as within our day-to-day lives as humans.”
An Ideal Husband, full cast
An Ideal Husband (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic on June 10-20 at 7.30pm with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday (no shows Sunday). Tickets are available at bristololdvic.org.uk.
All photos: Helen Murray
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