An Ideal Husband
An Ideal Husband
Starring Edward Fox, Freddie Fox and Frances Barber.
Classic Spring is a new theatre company, formed by Dominic Dromgoole (former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre) to celebrate the bold and ground breaking work of proscenium playwrights in the architecture for which they wrote.
“Launched with a flourish” (The Sunday Times), Classic Spring’s Oscar Wilde Season promises to cast new light on Wilde's ground-breaking work, showing how more than a century on, he still strikes to the heart of social scandal.
What Is An Ideal Husband About?
The Rolls-Royce of English comedies, Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, brings an act of political sin into the heart of the English home.
An ambitious government minister, Sir Robert Chiltern’s smooth ascent to the top seems assured. Until Mrs Cheveley appears in London with damning proof of his previous financial chicanery.
★★★★ ‘Fantastic Mr Foxes’ - The Times
★★★★ ‘A delicious double act’ - Independent
★★★★ ‘Incredibly funny’ - Telegraph
★★★★ ‘Absolutely superb’ - Times
★★★★ ‘Masterful performances’ - Evening Standard
- Cast
Edward Fox will play the Earl of Caversham. He is best known for his performance at The Day of the Jackal and Edward & Mrs. Simpson (ITV). Screen credits also include A Bridge Too Far, The Dresser, and Gandhi.
Freddie Fox will play Lord Goring. He played in The Judas Kiss, opposite Rupert Everett (Hampstead Theatre, West End). Other credits include Travesties (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End), Cucumber (Channel 4), Banana (E4), Boy George (BBC) and The Three Musketeers.
Frances Barber plays Mrs. Cheveley. Best-known for her role as Caroline Warwick in Silk (BBC), her many screen and stage credits include Mr. Holmes, Vicious (ITV), and Death in Paradise (BBC), Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe), Arkadina in The Seagull (RSC), and Julius in Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse).
- Duration
2 hrs & 45 mins including the interval
Additional Details & FAQ
- Suitable For Children
Ages 8+
- Where Do I Go
404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH
Reviews
Austin S.
Jul 14, 2018
Extremely well acted and very humorous. The very articulate cast has a wonderful time with the inherent comic contradictions of Oscar Wilde. Very much worth seeing and completely engaging from the first moment to the final curtain.
Mrs Walker
Jul 8, 2018
All I really knew about Oscar Wilde beforehand were the well-known sayings. Having read the reviews I thought I'd go along. What an excellent show, full of comedy and, of course, excellent acting. I'm really enlightened and will be attending further Wilde shows. Thank you to all.
Gregor
Jul 6, 2018
The first act desperately need to be cut down by about 30 mins. It drags on entirely too long. The blocking leaves something to be desired in a dialogue heavy play. The show’s saving grace is the second act when Freddie Fox’s character takes over. He and his father seemed to be only ones having fun in their roles. The other actors needed to find more moments to help define their characters—specifically reacting to all the dialogue.
Tom Callaghan
Jul 6, 2018
Wilde's play was enlivened by stand out individual performances within an effective ensemble presentation
Jane Clayton
Jul 6, 2018
This was a wonderful play to see, great cast (amazing that two of the stars are in their eighties, hope I can do as well when I get there!). Costumes to die for and very clever use of scenery. Roll on 'The Importance of Being Earnest'
Sanjay & Helen
Jul 2, 2018
Our second Oscar Wilde play of the year at The Vaudeville Theatre; great acting at a great venue, looking forward to the third!
V swainland
Jul 1, 2018
The play was good. Great acting.
PG
Jun 30, 2018
A fantastic play with a stellar cast! I would love to see it again before the end of the run! Also the theatre is air conditioned, thank you for that!
Jane
Jun 29, 2018
Really enjoyable! Amazing cast and a fun play of course. Certainly recommend!
Mrs Brown
Jun 22, 2018
I really enjoyed the play, the acting was excellent and Susan Hampshire stole the show. The play is thought provoking and very relevant as it has been 100 years of the emancipation of women.
Viewers
Jun 22, 2018
A full house on a Thursday matinee was indicative for the always relevant Ideal Husband! Unique is father and son "outfoxing" each other against sumptuous sets and stellar cast. Saw the performance 4 weeks again, but enjoyed it even more this time - like wine and cheese it matured! I realised once again how privileged we were as audience to be able to watch a more than 100 year old play which has the immediacy of a mirror on todays society.
Gid
Jun 22, 2018
It was a fantastic production, I would 100% recommend
Catherine D.
Jun 16, 2018
The wit and humour of this play is as sharp and relevant as if it was written yesterday. And it is worth coming to see this play to watch Freddie Fox in action. He is perfectly cast and acts his socks off!
Jockney
Jun 14, 2018
First half was a bit boring . but the second half was worth it very funny
Janet
Jun 14, 2018
Not only were the actors superb, Freddie Fox brilliant but the costumes and scenery are outstanding. I did so enjoy this play.
FG
Jun 14, 2018
An amazing play and the actors are brilliant! The script and the scenery were also fantastic!! Highly recommended!
Nelson Hill
Jun 14, 2018
From beginning to end, this is a first rate production! Marvelous timing and many laughs. Kudos to Freddie Fox. Such a fun night!
Susan
Jun 14, 2018
Loved every minute of this excellent production.
Renee
Jun 14, 2018
I went with huge expectations and was not disappointed at all. It was marvellous and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Jack Maunders
Jun 14, 2018
Only having seen The Importance of Being Ernest, I was looking forward to seeing this play. I was not disappointed. Beautifully written (what else!) and beautifully acted. The play's actions and sentiments resonated with today's politics. Very enjoyable.
Susan, USA
May 27, 2018
I was disappointed as I thought this was supposed to be a comedy. There were a few funny parts but due to a projection issue and language difference -- I think we missed many of the jokes (?).
Alison
May 25, 2018
A very entertaining show, with accomplished acting of Wilde’s witty script, exquisitely elegant sets and costumes. Nathaniel Parker was convincing as Sir Robert Chiltern with the delightful Sally Bretton as his suitably repressed wife. Edward Fox was amusing as the crusty Earl of Caversham, and it was an intriguing conceit to have Freddie Fox playing his son Viscount Goring – but although Freddie gave a lively performance I thought he was too young to play Goring convincingly – he looks like a boy of about 20, while Goring is meant to be a man of the world in his mid-30’s. At the other end of the spectrum Frances Barber also gave a good performance, but she is really too old to play Mrs Cheveley – who is meant to have been at school with young Lady Chiltern! I am not a huge fan of colour-blind casting, but Faith Omole had stage presence as Mabel Chiltern, and I was prepared to believe she could be Sir Robert’s adopted sister. Susan Hampshire was charming as Lady Markby, and the other minor characters made the most of their roles, especially Samuel Martin who played the violin with such panache, and Tim Waller as the sphinx-like butler Phipps.
John Stainer
May 25, 2018
Just the very best in acting, seeing these professionals in action made this a wonderful afternoon. Never mind the story, go and see acting at its very best.
TJ
May 24, 2018
Such a great performance! Loved the diversity of the characters and cast. A wonderful piece that was very well done. A must see for Oscar lovers!!!
James
May 24, 2018
Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband" was a delight! Excellent acting and set design. Dialogue was borh funny and socially pointed.
Gail Marie
May 23, 2018
Everything about this play - sets, costumes, and most of all the actors - was excellent. When you do not want a play to be over you know you are having a great time and that was the case here. I live in the U.S. and am trying to think of how I can come back to London before the end of the run to see it again!
Carolyn Palmer
May 20, 2018
Just brilliant. Freddie Fox was outstanding . Wonderful play.....so true of today!
Carol York.
May 20, 2018
Avery well acted play. Magnificent sets and lighting. Comic lines timed exactly right. A most enjoyable evening.
Christina Bullen
May 19, 2018
Seated mid-row front of Grand Circle (the brass rail was not too annoying!). A brilliant performance by the whole cast. Every line clearly audible with the pace perfect for catching every word but not detracting from the highly amusing and entertaining repartee. Worth every penny! You will not be disappointed.
JAEL
May 18, 2018
Brilliantly acted by a cast that zinged
Emma
May 18, 2018
"An Ideal Husband" functions as a darkly witty theatrical production. Beset by quintessentially late Victorian settings, the actors are animated and vivid. The play humorously explores the themes of gender, class, politics, corruption, and marriage. It is a mature production built up by an experienced cast, who draw on Oscar Wilde's trademark satire and insightful eye, to raise questions about society. A talented exposure of social class, "An Ideal Husband" will bring a sardonic tear to your eye, and enrich your know,edge of the manners of the time.
Birthday Boy
May 18, 2018
Enjoyable both as a drama and a comedy. Themes are modern though - trust, honour, love and ambition. Very entertaining.
Helen T.
May 16, 2018
A lovely 19th century period piece by Oscar Wilde. Excellent casting, acting, costumes and setting. FYI the dress Circle is VERY steep and high up.
dew131
May 16, 2018
Another Oscar Wilde production in the season and our third so far. Clever performance by Freddy Fox as the slightly over the top, Lord Goring and the interaction between him and Lord Caversham, his real father Edward Fox, a delight. A joy to see and clearly hear the words of Wilde spoken by "seasoned" actors whilst I felt that Miss Mabel Chiltern was a little too modern and exuberant in her delivery for this period play.
Geoffrey Herdman
May 16, 2018
Being an ideal husband I couldn’t understand the point in going to see the play, but once there was absolutely entranced. A wonderful evening. Thank you.
Carla,
May 16, 2018
I saw An Ideal Husband yesterday, was a brilliant play one of my favourites by Oscar Wilde. Highly recommend you go and see this.
M
May 14, 2018
Good old-fashioned entertainment but with lines that ring true today . Particularly enjoyed the Edward/Freddy Fox casting - works so well. A must for Oscar Wilde fans.
AM
May 14, 2018
Absolutely amazing! The cast and production team obviously really understans Wilde. Truly hilarious with Freddie Fox giving a completely flawless performance.
Marie
May 13, 2018
Fantastic evening, the actors couldn’t have been better. Will now read the book and try to remember the witty lines...
Gem
May 13, 2018
A great production with brilliant acting and hugely enjoyable from beginning to end.
Via Aurelia
May 13, 2018
We enjoyed this surprisingly topical 120 year old play about abuse of power and the false nature of human perfection, without reservation. This is Freddie Fox and Frances Barber's play, but despite a thirty year age difference the two principles crackled. Also we loved the curio of a real father and son playing their roles. All the other parts worked well, again despite some leaps of faith - Mrs Chievely (59) and Lady Chiltern(38) were at school together and Sir Robert and Mabel as siblings? Definitely worth seeing.
Mpg
May 13, 2018
Most entertaining. Great cast for a great play. As relevant now as when First shown
Blondie
May 13, 2018
Wonderful cast who captured the wit of Wilde perfectly. Freddie Fox was an excellent Lord Goring.
Blondie
May 13, 2018
Wonderful cast who captured the wit of Wilde perfectly. Freddie Fox was an excellent Lord Goring.
Valerie Merrill
May 13, 2018
Fabulous cast and thoroughly enjoyable
D
May 12, 2018
Very upto date revival. Hopefully will bring young people to thevtgeatre to enjoy the wit of Oscar Wilde
Susan Rogers
May 11, 2018
Really enjoyed the play.All the actors were excellent,especially Freddie Fox and Nathaniel Parker.Oscar Wilde remains timeless.
Susan Rogers
May 11, 2018
Really enjoyed the play.All the actors were excellent,especially Freddie Fox and Nathaniel Parker.Oscar Wilde remains timeless.
TJD
May 10, 2018
This star studded cast was largely effortless delivering vintage Oscar Wilde. Freddie Fox was fabulous as was ******** amazing for her west end debut. Edward Fox was a little difficult follow his speech but for his age he can still shine. Charles Dance was sitting in front of me and seemed to enjoy it as much as i did.
C. Ward
May 10, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Much superior to the previous two plays in the Wilde season. Freddie Fox is utterly brilliant as Lord Goring and the scenes with his father are classics. Managed to be very funny and thought-provoking at the same time. Excellent!