Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde Directed by Helen Bezer Produced by Matthew Arnold 11-18 May 2002 (7 performances) Into the fashionable world of London parties, politics and diplomacy comes the worldly and devious Mrs Cheveley. She attempts to blackmail the British Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Robert Chiltern, whom she accuses of building a career on dishonour by selling a cabinet secret... Cast Sir Robert Chiltern Chris Manning-Perry Lady Chiltern Allison Henderson Miss Mabel Chiltern Linda Gay Lord Goring Gavin Davy Mrs Cheveley Stephanie Dungate Lord Caversham Ian Saxton Lady Markby Shirley Andrews Mason Dean Stacey Phipps David Hampton Mr Montford Dean Stacey Mrs Marchment Sarah O'Hanlon Lady Basildon Christine McKeon Vicomte de Nanjac Matthew Arnold Lady Elizabeth Barford Sue Churchill Lady Jane Barford Judy Ives Crew Stage Manager Jerry McKeon Assistant Stage Manager Angela Juett Set Design & Construction Paul Lay, Ron Andrews, Matthew Arnold, Steve Grubb, Colin Rayment Costumes Maureen Hardwen, Val Simons Lighting & Sound Jenny Devonshire Review Wilde wit falls flat Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband is a notoriously hard play for non-professional theatre companies to stage, so you could say the Edward Alderton Theatre in Bexleyheath was brave to attempt it last week. Added to that, last minute director Helen Bezer is normally an actress and has never directed before. But, that said, can there really be any excuse for so many actors constantly forgetting their lines, and some woefully inept acting? Gavin Davy, as Lord Goring, never looked as if a wanton thought ever entered his head. At times he struggled to keep his eyes open. Stephanie Dungate as Mrs Cheveley came across as a cardboard baddie. And Matthew Arnold as Vicomte de Nanjac must get the award for the worst French accent I have ever heard. Faring better were Chris Manning-Perry as Sir Robert Chiltern and Ian Saxton as Goring's father, Lord Caversham. At least they looked the part. But Wilde's play is just about good enough to still entertain, despite such obstacles. The saddest part was the throwaway of numerous Wildean witticisms. A play laced with glorious lines hardly elicited a chuckle, let alone a laugh, from the audience. That was the greatest tragedy. David Bale Kentish Times | 23 May 2002