• Production Information

• Reviews

• PROGRAM NOTES

• An Ideal Husband Photo Gallery

Production Information

Reviews

PROGRAM NOTES

In the summer of 1893, Oscar Wilde began writing An Ideal Husband, and he completed it later that winter. At this point in his career he was accustomed to success, and in writing An Ideal Husband he wanted to ensure himself public fame. He submitted the play for production at the Haymarket Theatre, where it was indeed a great success. After opening on January 3, 1895, it continued for 124 performances. In April of that year, Wilde was arrested for 'gross indecency' and his name was publicly taken off the play. An Ideal Husband was published in 1899, although Wilde was not listed as the author. The published version differs slightly from the play as commonly performed, for Wilde added many passages including written stage directions and character descriptions – passages that are heard for the first time in this production through the “narration” of the Tour Guide. The presence of the Tour Guide - our own creation, in a way - touches on a common theme and motif crafted throughout Wilde’s work, namely that the characters themselves are works of art. For the record, the words spoken by the Tour Guide were all written by Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900), was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, and author of short stories. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of late Victorian London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, most notably The Importance of Being Earnest. Other plays by Wilde include Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance and Salome. Wilde achieved early notoriety as the author of the controversial novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. In 1895, shortly after the premiere of An Ideal Husband, Wilde was imprisoned for “gross indecency.” He later died in exile at the young age of 46.

PHOTO GALLERY

•  Click on any image below for a larger view