Shaw Festival 2010 – Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband

Shaw Festival 2010 – Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband conjures up the life of the man himself. Just as the play's Sir Robert Chiltern is facing a political scandal, so was Wilde engaged in a very public trial that would bring him down.

The dialogue is from Wilde's heart and Shaw Festival artistic director Jackie Maxwell has put that passion in the play. This production is anchored in angst without smothering Wilde's clever dialogue.

Judith Bowden's set and costumes are gorgeous, keeping to the fin de siècle look with a modern twist. This play could be ripped from today's headlines and director Maxwell makes sure the audience is aware that the fate of several lives hang in the balance.

Patrick Galligan and Catherine McGregor as the Chilterns are superb, while Steven Sutcliffe is perfect as the seeming feckless Lord Goring. Moya O'Connell is a true seductive siren as Mrs. Cheveley.

This fine production of An Ideal Husband continues at the Shaw Festival Theatre until Oct. 21.

An Ideal Husband
Shaw Festival 2010
Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Jackie Maxwell
Starring Steven Sutcliffe, Catherine McGregor, Patrick Galligan And Moya O'Connell, Lorne Kennedy, Marla McLean and Wendy Thatcher
Shaw Festival Theatre, Apr. 9 to Oct. 31
Niagara-on-the-Lake