Naturally, she and Goring are drawn to each other… Young Mabel (Teresa Marie Doran), Sir Robert’s sister, runs her charming motor-mouth like a late-Victorian Nicki Minaj. The artfulness here arises not from slamming doors and stage highjinks, but from Wilde’s dialogue, and from actor David Beukema’s confident control of the play’s pivotal character.

He gently tries to talk Gertrude out of the giant halo she has placed above her husband’s head. Lord Arthur Goring (David Beukema), who “lives only for pleasure,” is called upon to save the day. In today’s world, Ochs’ devoted Gertrude is the one standing beside her husband at the humiliating news conference. In an almost Genet-like moral flip-flop, he insists that his abuse of power in fact arose “from a terrible, horrible courage.” Guys like this, it seems, still find politics irresistible.

Cheveley (Heidi Berg), Sir Robert at first admits no remorse for past misdeeds, actually finding a way to switch the blame to his unsuspecting wife, Gertrude (Sara Ochs). When his position is threatened by the blackmailing Mrs. Adam Whisner manages to inhabit the fast-rising politico’s despicable qualities as well as his vulnerability. Sir Robert Chiltern’s hair, brilliantined and severely parted, telegraphs him as both a bigwig and a prig. Some of the banter (“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance”) is positively inspirational.Īdroitly directed by Amy Rummenie for Walking Shadow Theatre, this lucid staging is wickedly amusing, laden with subtle characterizations and as topical as your morning websites. The politics-and-piffle period comedy is full of Wildean quips, natch, but its plot about a powerful young politician facing blackmail is oh so au courant. Their first-rate production of Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” at the 100-seat Red Eye space in Minneapolis sold out its final weekend, so a 3 p.m. In eight years and 24 productions, Walking Shadow Theatre never has had occasion to extend a run.

An ideal husband full play