An Ideal Husband

by Oscar Wilde Narrated by Geoffrey Giuliano, The Circle

Overview

"An Ideal Husband" is a comedic play written by Oscar Wilde, first performed in 1895. It is one of Wilde's society comedies, which satirize the manners and morals of Victorian society. The play explores themes of political and moral corruption, blackmail, and the complexities of maintaining an ideal public image. The plot revolves around Sir Robert Chiltern, a successful and morally upright politician, and his wife, Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Their seemingly perfect lives are threatened when a mysterious woman named Mrs. Cheveley enters the scene. Mrs. Cheveley possesses a letter that could ruin Sir Robert's political career, and she attempts to use this information to her advantage.

As the drama unfolds, Wilde introduces a cast of witty and eccentric characters, including Lord Arthur Goring, a close friend of Sir Robert, and Mabel Chiltern, Sir Robert's sister. Lord Goring, known for his dandyish charm and clever quips, becomes a central figure in the attempts to resolve the conflicts and unveil the truth behind Sir Robert's past. Throughout the play, Wilde explores the themes of morality and forgiveness, highlighting the contrast between public and private personas. The characters grapple with the societal expectations placed upon them, and the play humorously exposes the hypocrisies of the upper class while offering a reflection on the nature of human flaws. "An Ideal Husband" is celebrated for its sparkling dialogue, clever wit, and insightful observations about the moral fabric of society. Like many of Wilde's works, it showcases his mastery of satire and his ability to blend humor with social commentary. The play remains a popular and frequently performed piece in the canon of Wildean literature.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up Lovers of Oscar Wilde's stories will delight in this new illustrated version of The Canterville Ghost if the picture book format does not keep them from finding it. Wilde's story of an American family who moves into Canterville Chase and annoys a weary ghost with their lack of belief in him is a wry commentary on the ways of British nobility and of their hard-headed American cousins. Like many of Wilde's tales, this one is filled with sophisticated allusions to his social and political milieu, but ends as sentimental romance. Zwerger's wry pictures highlight this tone beautifully. Her toothless ghost is round and comical, as would suit a ghost whom no one fears, and her heroine, Virginia, is young and sweetly boyish. All of the illustrations are set against misty gray watercolor backgrounds except for the climactic scene, echoed on the front cover, in which the tiny huntsmen on the wallpaper call out to Virginia to ``Go Back.'' This will make a fine read-aloud for audiences of secondary students who are prepared to savor Wilde's ironic humor and Zwerger's delicate watercolors. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie

MAY 98 - AudioFile

The L.A. Theatre Works performs plays tailored for a radio format before live audiences. The works are treats for the ear: Each features first-rate performances, rich but not overdone sound effects, evocative background music, expert engineering and the immediacy of an audience’s live responses. AN IDEAL HUSBAND, Oscar Wilde's 1895 comedy, shows how a good adaptation of a classic play can speak to the present age. Martin Jarvis and director Michael Hackett have slightly streamlined Wilde's play about a rising politician with a secret in his past whose efforts to prevent exposure call attention to the hypocrisy of holding our leaders to higher standards than we ourselves live by. The large cast handles the witty dialogue with delicacy: Jacqueline Bisset charmingly plays one of dramatic literature's most polite blackmailers. The insouciance of the performances emphasizes rather than detracts from the play's serious theme of social hypocrisy. G.H. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192425695
Publisher:	Icon Audio Arts
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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