reviewvancouver: United Players of Vancouver- An Ideal Husband, ; John Anthony Jane

United Players of Vancouver
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

When and Where May 30 – June 22, 2025; Thurs-Fri at 8pm, 1st & 3rd Saturdays at 8 pm, 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 2pm, Sundays at 2pm | Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street

Directors Moya O’Connell & Amber LewisTechnical Director Cristian Twist Set Design Omanie Elias Props Design Frances Herzer Sound Design & Composer Thule van den Dam Lighting Design Rebekah Johnson Costume Design Madeleine Polak Choreography Jerry Burchill Stage Manager Emelia Findlay

MAIN CAST Robert Chiltern Chris Cope, Gertrude Chiltern Emma Newton Lord Goring Hayley Sullivan Mrs. Cheveley Cat Smith Mabel Chiltern Kyla Ward, Eal of Caversham (& Ghost of Baron Arnheim) Gordon Law ,

Reviewer John Anthony Jane

Set London, England roughly in the time that it was written, the central themes of Oscar Wilde's 1895 play An Ideal Husband seem all too familiar with what is going on in the present time. Certainly, issues such as trial by tabloid following a period of public unreasonable high expectations of political leaders are not likely to ever change. Insider trading, clandestine double-dealing and blackmail have only become more en vogue than in Victorian times.

Wilde's take on this drawing room comedy works so well because it takes place in a society that seems to value rigid social rules. The play’s narrative revolves around Sir Robert Chiltern, a rising star in the British House of Commons who has managed to define his career as a straight arrow. He is adored by his wife Gertrude for pretty much the same reason and sees him as a paragon of virtue. Unfortunately for him, a mischievous Mrs. Cheveley is about to burst his bubble and expose him publicly because of a transgression early in his career.

If Wilde’s play works as a clever pièce de théâtre, This United Players production works on two levels: directors Moya O’Connell and Amber Lewis find a seamless groove and a talented ensemble that meshes well together. The production is served well by Madeleine Polaks’ accurate fin de siècle clothing and Jerry Burchill’s slick choreography that opens both acts.

Chris Cope and Emma Newton as Chiltern power couple Robert and Gertrude strike a careful balance between propriety and ardour. I couldn’t help but enjoy the performances of the two Australian actors, Cat Smith as the indomitable Mrs. Cheveley, the play’s only real villain and Hayley Sullivan as Lord Goring, the play’s only real hero.

Ms. Smith totally commits as the ambitious femme fatale who certainly had me on her side. Ms. Sullivan in an inspired cross-gender role is terrific as a would-be philosopher; she makes the most of her comic dialogues with Gordon Law and Chris Cope’s characters.

Among the supporting cast, Kyla Ward, as Sir Robert Chiltern’s sister Mabel, gets a “C+” for charm and Jerry Burchill (who also contributes the choreography) stands out as Duchess Priscilla in the first act and as the self-possessed Phipps in the second act.

An Ideal Husband transports us to a time and place more sophisticated than where we are presently living. Perhaps the take-away we get from Wilde is that nobody is perfect – some less perfect than others.