“An Ideal Husband”Oscar Wilde is a Hit at Gloucester Stage

REVIEW – Onstage now at the Gloucester Stage Theater, “An Ideal Husband” is an 1895 comedic play by Oscar Wilde which satirizes political corruption, image, hypocrisy, redemption, jealousy, honesty in government and the moral superiority of some women. Sound familiar? Themes just as pertinent today as in Victorian times.

This is a must-see play and offers great summertime fun especially as our political season heats up. In “An Ideal Husband” Wilde satirizes noble nobles, political shenanigans, financial insider trading, loyalty and foolishness. The comedy is produced, performed, staged and directed with panache, great comedic timing, and crisp diction allowing the audience to enjoy Wilde’s wit and wisdom. Under the direction of Karen MacDonald, with an adaptation by Daniel Morris, a handsome set by Julia Noulin-Merat, and in a classy Victorian set, with period costumes by Molly Trainer.

Four actors portray nine characters, some requiring cross-dressing, adding to the humor of this roller coaster, fast-witted, fast- paced s comedy of manners about friendship, political corruption, blackmail, and redemption. Listen up, Rod Blagojevich. Thanks to Karen MacDonald’s crisp direction, and the actors’ good acting, the play is a great night at the Gloucester Stage Theater.

The witty Wilde wrote many now-classic lines in this play, I kept scribbling away in my notebook in an effort to remember them. Some of my favorites: “I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

"To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance."

"Philanthropy seems to me to have become simply the refuge of people who wish to annoy their fellow-creatures."

"Questions are never indiscreet. Answers sometimes are."

As the play gets going, we are introduced to the main characters in this social and political contretemps involving the upper and ruling British class. Sir Robert Chiltern, is angry at his wife’s refusal to sanction his past corruption and his about-t-be-repeated second act of political corruption (issuing a favorable report on an Argentine Canal scheme so the British cabinet will endorse it),

"How many men there are in modern life who would like to see their past burning to white ashes before them!" Sir Robert eventually says, explaining why he’s ready to give in to blackmail that will destroy his marriage, good name and career in the British government. But his wife, Gertrude, morally indignant, gets him to apologizes and show moral courage even if it will ruin him. She also aims to save him, and expose sexy, evil Mrs. Cheveley, his blackmailer, save his career and honor. Friends help her, too.

The ensuing plot complications, drawing room comedy involving grand drawing rooms, fathers, sisters, and friends offer great entertainment and pointed political and moral barbs.

The appearance of Angie Jepson as Mrs. Cheveley, a seductive schemer who’s blackmailing Sir Robert Chiltern (Brendan Powers), a rich aristocrat who’s undersecretary for foreign affairs. Brendan Powers is a handsome, believable and eventually likeable character who I wanted to triumph, especially after he spoke against the Argentine scheme.

A romance between Sir Robert’s intelligent sister, Mabel (also played by Angie Jepson), and Lord Goring (Lewis D. Wheeler), who once was engaged to Mrs. Cheveley, a former classmate of Lady Chiltern who even then was a thief and liar keep the plot lively.

The production’s four actors acquit themselves ably, British accents and ease handling multiple parts (the men play minor female characters and the women play minor male characters).

As Lady Chiltern, Carrie Ann Quinn, is simply wonderful, a bit idealistic and simpering at first, then strong and determined. Good job. Lewis D. Wheeler has many of Wilde’s best lines as Lord Goring, and he delivers them with am aristocratic nonchalant air.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND Play by Oscar Wilde, adapted by Daniel Morris, Directed by: Karen MacDonald. Sets, Julia Noulin-Merat. Costumes, Molly Trainer. Lights, Kenneth Helvig. Sound, David Remedios. Gloucester Stage Company, Gloucester, through Aug. 29. Tickets: $37. 978-281-4433, www.gloucesterstage.org.

NEXT AT THE GLOUCESTER: Trad -- September 2 – 12, by Mark Doherty, A hit in Boston, Trad is the hilarious fable of hundred-year-old Thomas and his improbably ancient Dad. When Thomas reveals that he once fathered a son in a long-ago fling, the pair set off across the Irish countryside to find the child, with nothing more than a hobble and a limp to help them. • Artists’ post-show“Talk Back” Sunday, September 5. Directed by Carmel O'Reilly, Starring original cast members, Nancy E. Carroll, Colin Hamell & Billy Meleady. Tickets available now.