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Review

An Ideal Husband

St. Joseph’s Players

Set in Grosvenor Square, London at the home of Sir Robert and Lady Chiltern, Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband tells the story of corruption and blackmail amongst the upper classes.

As the curtain opened the set was greeted by applause from the audience. Well-built and very effective that set the scene perfectly.

As the Chilterns host a distinguished dinner party, an old school day enemy of Lady Chiltern, Mrs Cheveley, arrives with blackmail in mind. She has a secret about Sir Robert and threatens to tell the world, which would end his political standing and status unless he agrees to her demands of supporting a fraudulent scheme to build a canal in Argentina.

With twists and turns aplenty the plot unfolds and the right people get their comeuppance.

Pauline Nevell in the role of Lady Chiltern was outstanding. A graceful, confident performance throughout. Paul Jameson as Sir Robert commanded the stage with a believable interpretation that displayed the right amount of emotion as he tried to deal with his unbearable predicament.

Clare Nash was on top form as Mrs Cheveley, a polished, well studied interpretation that showed versatility. Darren Nash as Viscount Goring, ex-fiancé of Cheveley, brought a tongue in cheek comedic side to the role, whilst showing great stage presence who succeeded in turning the blackmail around once he had been double crossed.

David Hodgkinson as The Earl of Caversham K.G, and Jennifer Costello – Miss Mabel Chiltern, both gave credible performances that complimented the rest of the cast. Supporting roles made completed the cast of 14 who all worked well together to make this a successful production.

Director, Donna Wood has done a sterling job in bringing this piece to the stage. The costumes were perfect for the period as afore mentioned the set complimented the action.

Well done to all.

Graham Cohen.