Introduction to the play:
Oscar Wilde’s memorable play is about the hypocritical nature of society in particular the higher classes who wish to keep themselves exposed from scandal but at the same time these are completely without morals and have a hunger for sexual peccadillos which they are loath to expose. It demonstrates Wilde’s incredible and suave wit when he proceeds to tear to pieces the upper classes of London society who were then to come back and haunt him with a vengeance in his later years after his fall from grace. I was more than enthused to have been given the opportunity to watch and review this play at the Stratford Festival and can safely say that I was not disappointed.
The play which I observed at the Stratford Festival was a top class production indeed. I immediately warmed to the woman portraying Lady Windermere whose sardonic wit and sense of exuberant eroticism. The First Act was particularly enticing especially in the witty and sardonic conversation between Lady Windermere and Lord Darlington. The tete a tete between the Duchess of Berwick and Lady Windermere continues to emphasise the importance of good conversation and both actresses really show a sense of know how during the proceedings.
The confrontation between Lord and Lady Windermere after the latter discovers her husband’s philandering was also well handled and extremely feisty. The blackmailing over Lady Erylnne is also something which came across very well and demonstrated the actor’s powers at portraying this crucially important scene. Once again, one is amused by Wilde’s sense of playful fun and intrinsic ability to shock through his witty scenes and mese a scenes. The duplicity of Lord Windermere is also something which one can observe at close quarters especially in the talent of the Stretford Festival actors.
The Second Act was also very spicy and feisty in that we had a really good portrayal of the Ball scene. The tension created by the arrival of Lady Erlynne and her clashes with Lord Windermere continues to demonstrate the importance of Wilde’s subtle leitmotifs which constantly take a dig at London’s upper class society.
The conversation between Lady and Lord Windermere demonstrates the importance of direct communication. The exchanges between Lord Darlington and Lord Augustus continue to confirm the hypocrisy of upper class society as the latter asks about the social standing of Lady Erlynne who is hiding a secret of infidelity. Act Two was also extremely well done by all involved especially the scene where Lady Windermere decides to leave her husband who is left in the lurch attempting to solve a problem which is totally of his own making.
The Third and Fourth Acts came across quite well with the central theme of the fan appearing throughout and also demonstrating the direction and importance of all proceedings. Although one could observe that the costumes were not always of the highest quality, one could also observe that the acting in question more than made up for this slight misdemeanour. The director’s emphasis on the fan as a tool of deduction and how it eventually exposes Lady Windermere as a hypocrite was extremely well handled. The Stratford Festival Production was certainly of the highest calibre and I look forward to more plays by Wilde from this delightful theatrical troupe.
