An Ideal Husband Theatre Review
Anyone considering buying a London Theatre ticket should look no further than An Ideal Husband showing at the Vaudeville Theatre. It has been given another glowing review and received another four star review from critics. The play written by Oscar Wilde in 1895 is a comedy which revolves around blackmail and political corruption, set in London in “the present” and takes place over the course of 24 hours.
The play opens during a dinner party at the home of Sir Richard Chiltern in London’s fashionable Grosvenor Square. Sir Robert, a prestigious member of the House of Commons, and his wife, Lady Chiltern, are hosting a gathering that includes his friend Lord Goring, a bachelor and close friend, his sister Mabel Chiltern, and other genteel guests. During the party, Mrs. Cheveley, an enemy of Lady Chiltern’s from their school days, attempts to blackmail Sir Robert into supporting a fraudulent scheme to build a canal in Argentina. Many years ago Baron Arnheim, Mrs. Cheveley’s dead mentor and lover, apparently convinced the young Sir Robert to sell him a Cabinet secret. The secret that, three days before the British government announced its purchase, suggested he buy stocks in the Suez Canal. Sir Robert made his fortune with that illicit money, and Mrs. Cheveley has the letter to prove his crime. Fearing both the ruin of career and marriage, Sir Robert submits to her demands.
The key to the plays success is the strong performances from the cast including Rachael Stirling and Elliot Cowan, particularly in the second half. Henry Hitchings of the London Evening Standard said the Oscar Wilde creation is “energetically entertaining – a glossy melodrama, certainly, but one studded with smart lines and, more surprisingly, imbued with humanity”.
It should be noted that its storyline is particularly poignant given that Oscar Wilde was under extortion due to his sexuality when he wrote it.
An addition to An Ideal Husband, we offer tickets for all top West End shows such as The Children’s Hour and much more…
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