Photograph: Lace Market Theatre
Although classic, Wilde's A Woman of No Importance has been described as the "weakest of the plays written in the nineties." Wilde had not yet truly mastered his art by the time it was first staged, yet it is still Wilde absolutely doing what he does best.
The flamboyant Irish playwright's forte is gathering nineteenth century high society, comic melodrama and humorous quips with an underlying commentary on society's morals and ethics. Wilde constructs his plays well and his observation of character is spot on.
The story begins at a party, with the conversation of Lady Jane Hunstanton (Eileen Frier-Kelsey), Lady Caroline Pontefract (Beverley Anthony) and her long suffering husband accessory. Enter the ever so elegant Mrs Arbuthnot (Kay Harrison) and much of the first act surrounds the witty remarks and observations about themselves and each other. The drama only begins in the second half when a past connection between Mrs Arbuthnot and the dandy Lord Illingworth (Guy Evans) is revealed, which not only shows their past catching up with them, but also presents a social and moral challenge to the story.
The main theme is the secrets of the upper-classes; the play dips into a battle of the sexes and the differences between men and women, specifically the way Victorian society treats it's ladies – revealing a society that condemns a woman whilst admiring the cause of her downfall.
The play has some moving and dramatic moments, though also some lengthy dialogue - not the fault of the production, but the text of Wilde. The production itself is very good. The set is simple but some almost monochrome authentic costumes complete the picture and bring the characters to life. Director Dan Maddison handles the play well along with some excellent casting. Wilde’s quick paced dialogue is delivered admirably, particularly by Amy Farmer as Mrs Allonby and Ruth Page as Hester Worsley, the cast overall enabling an engaging, thought provoking and entertaining evening.
It may have been written more than a century ago but the theme is still as relevant today, with Wilde’s belief in love and respect ultimately overriding the values of the high society.
A Woman of No Importance runs Monday 15 to Saturday 20 February at the Lace Market Theatre.
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