Theatre / Reviews
Review: An Ideal Husband, Bristol Old Vic – ‘This joyous production allows Wilde’s wit to sparkle once again’
When Oscar Wilde wrote An Ideal Husband in 1895, he intended to poke fun at the double standards of public life during a period of major social and cultural change. Focusing on the flawed reputations and morality beneath seemingly perfect lives, Wilde’s wickedly deliciousness epigrams and dramatic mastery triumphed.
This collaboration between the Bristol Old Vic and the Lyric Hammersmith seeks to similarly succeed by pointing out frailties in the human condition through the bold decision to have an all-black and mixed race production set in present day London.
Played with gravitas and aplomb by Chiké Okonkwo, government minister Sir Robert Chiltern is the apparently ideal husband of Lady Chiltern, a sympathetic and morally pure Tamara Lawrance. He has an ugly secret involving financial irregularity which threatens to destroy not only his career, but his marriage and life.
Sule Thelwell, Aurora Perrineau, Nimmy March and Suzette Llewellyn in An Ideal Husband
The production could have gone for all-out bling and frothy lampoonery with frequent political barbs, but aims at something admirably more subtle, and in so doing treats Wilde’s one liners with as much respect as his genius for theatricality.
Jamael Westman as the effete Lord Goring is consistently and eminently watchable, providing a masterclass not only in comic timing but in the scene when he plays the straight man trying to help his beleaguered friend Sir Robert. His flourishes, mannerisms and double takes thrill the audience and although he has (nearly) all the best lines, they are nevertheless perfectly delivered with plenty of plummy aplomb.
Emmanuel Akwafo and Jamael Westman
There are several, often hilarious, modern touches, including Lord Goring’s father the Earl of Caversham (an enjoyably exasperated Jeff Alexander) waking from a dream with a cry of “Nicki Minaj!” The odd lapse into Jamaican patois also adds a touch of contemporary authenticity, while scene changes accompanied by club beats with a voiceover by DJ Trevor Nelson, are fun.
Emmanuel Akwafo is hysterical as both the Chiltern’s contemptuous butler Mason and Goring’s acidic manservant Phipps, pricking pomposity and arrogance whenever it rears its head. The principal strength of the show however is that it is allowed to tell the story without artifice.
Jeff Alexander and Tiwa Lade
Rajha Shakiry’s clear unfussy set and flamboyantly elegant wardrobe provide just the right amount of class and visual panache expected, while Wilde’s genius at subverting orthodox female roles finds admirable support from Tiwa Lade’s flirty, scheming Mabel.
The only downside in the entire performance is that Chiltern’s nemesis, the ambitiously cunning Mrs Chievely (Aurora Perrineau) is a little too one-note, and occasionally loses some of her best lines.
Nicholai La Barrie’s direction is a joy to behold, concentrating on the dramatic risks for Lord Chiltern at moments of tension while allowing the comedy to scream out loud when needed. There are many parallels with modern life and its focus on wealth and power, but this joyous production allows Wilde’s wit to sparkle once again.
Tamara Lawrance and Chike Okonkwo
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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