Date: Fri 28-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Sherman-Ideal-Husband-Wilde

Full Text:

(rev "An Ideal Husband" @Sherman Players)

Sherman's "Husband" Is A Real Keeper

By Julie Stern

SHERMAN -- For their end-of-summer production, Sherman Playhouse is staging An

Ideal Husband , one from the last pair of plays written by Oscar Wilde ( The

Importance of Being Ernest was the other).

In today's world, Wilde, whose life is currently a subject for various

successful plays and films, would be a star of the talk show circuit,

celebrated for his droll humor and infallible sense of style. A century ago,

however, his career was cut short and his health destroyed by his being

imprisoned, in solitary confinement and at hard labor, for the "crime" of

homosexuality.

With the current Sherman production, which continues through September 5,

director Jane Farnol has put together a devoted tribute to Wilde. This begins

with the lovingly detailed sets, which she designed herself, and continues

with the management of her large cast through an intricate comedy of British

manners in such a way as to make it accessible and enjoyable for a modern

American audience.

The ostensible plot involves an attempt by a scheming social climber, Mrs

Chevely, to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern, a rising star in liberal

Parliamentary circles. Chiltern's brainy, serious-minded wife adores her

husband, above all because he is of such high ethical character as herself.

Mrs Chevely wants Sir Robert to issue an economic report that will have a

favorable impact on a company she has invested all her money in, even though

the company is crooked and its project is a scam. If he refuses to comply, she

will taint his name with scandal by releasing a letter she has which reveals

that Chiltern got the original wherewithal to launch his political career

through a shady bit of insider trading.

In desperation, Chiltern turns to a friend for help: the bon vivant Lord

Goring, son of the Earl of Caversham. Goring, who represents the voice of

Wilde himself, drives his father crazy with his posture of decadent laziness

and his refusal to commit himself to either marriage or career.

Yet while his father dismisses him as a fool and a wastrel, it is Goring who

offers Chiltern the most responsible and honest advice. It is also Goring's

quick thinking and decisive actions which may ultimately work to save his

hapless friend.

Native Brit Viv Berger captures the Wildean persona perfectly in the role of

Lord Goring. In the scenes with his father, played by John Taylor in the

reviewed performance, Mr Berger kept the audience in stitches, resonating

clearly with everyone who has ever been a parent or the child of one.

As the Clintonesque Chilterns, Steve Manzino and Susan Abrams lend a decidedly

American tone to their characterizations. It was wise of director Farnol to

let them do that, rather than confuse the issue with stilted mannerisms.

Vicki Haag cooks up a mixture of cupidity, eroticism and nerviness in her

portrait of the brash adventuress Mrs Cheveley, and Heather McNeil makes a

perfect foil for Berger in the role of Chiltern's delightful sister Mabel, who

plays hard to get until she catches her Lord.

If there is any weakness in the production it lies in the overlong first

scene, which tends to drag, probably because in providing a background of a

snobbish London social gathering filled with stuffy men and catty women making

small talk, much of Wilde's wit goes over the heads of local playgoers. They

all sound alike, and boring at that. The uninitiated might worry the whole

play is going to be about these people.

Not to worry. It isn't.

An Ideal Husband gets better and better as it goes on, turning into a work of

impressive substance and merry humor. This one's a keeper.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:30 pm at Sherman Playhouse at Routes

37 and 39. Call 354-3622 for ticket information.