An Ideal Husband reviews – Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★

"Edward and Freddie Fox create a delicious double act"

"Oscar Wilde’s comedy gets a shrewd, enjoyable revival from Jonathan Church.

You emerge, rather, marvelling at the golden good humour and delicious sense of the absurd that never left Wilde even in times of extreme stress.

Frances Barber plays the melodrama to the hilt as the adventuress Mrs Cheveley.

Susan Hampshire is an absolute delight as Lady Markby...And the venerable Edward Fox creates a delicious double act of mutual exasperation with Freddie.”

"Fantastic Foxes team up for a Wilde West End delight"

"Jonathan Church’s production triumphs because it skilfully balances Wilde’s light and shade, rather than overdosing on epigrams and skimping on emotions. It’s light on its feet but also profound; witty but, when it really matters, true."

"The role of Lord Goring is tailor-made...for Freddie, for whom Wilde’s epigrammatic flourishes are a splendid match. He sensibly doesn’t overplay it, but instead adds some glorious little touches of playfulness to his part.”

"Wilde's dandies and fat cats verge on the preposterous"

"Edward and Freddie Fox, as a father and son, are the star turn in this stylish revival of Wilde’s send-up of a money-mad society

Even when the play verges on the preposterous, as in the farcical shenanigans of the third act, the production openly acknowledges Wilde’s recklessness.

There is strength in depth to the casting, with Susan Hampshire brilliantly turning the gossipy Lady Markby into an unquenchable social gusher and Tim Wallers making Goring’s valet a figure of lugubrious gravity."

"Edward and Freddie Fox create a delicious double act"

"Oscar Wilde’s comedy gets a shrewd, enjoyable revival from Jonathan Church.

You emerge, rather, marvelling at the golden good humour and delicious sense of the absurd that never left Wilde even in times of extreme stress.

Frances Barber plays the melodrama to the hilt as the adventuress Mrs Cheveley.

Susan Hampshire is an absolute delight as Lady Markby...And the venerable Edward Fox creates a delicious double act of mutual exasperation with Freddie.”

"Fantastic Mr Foxes are an ideal match for Wilde’s comedy"

"Freddie Fox is triumphant as the dandyish Lord Goring. There’s never a dull moment when he’s onstage. He wiggles around the gilt set with freshness, energy, intelligence and aplomb.

It’s a shame that Frances Barber, the powerful actress playing femme fatale Mrs Cheveley, is miscast, and sometimes seems shouty and hoarse.

There’s not much delicacy in the dynamic of blackmail, vanity and disappointment at the heart of this glittering story. It’s a solid evening of real Wilde, with some sparkling facets – just not the ideal one.”

Jonathan Church’s An Ideal Husband feels like it’s going through the motion. It’s capably played for the most part but has barely any perceptible pulse.

Edward Fox doesn’t have a huge amount to do though he’s immensely watchable when on stage. The role of Goring is far larger and Freddie Fox eats it up. He’s on fine form here. He wakes the production up whenever he’s on stage, but it never feels as if he’s stretching himself.

The safety curtain descends (slowly) during scene changes and there’s some inoffensive violin playing. Simon Higlett’s gilded set, all gilt and velvet, shimmers prettily while also looking rather flimsy.

Church’s production makes Wilde feel cosy, clubby and safe. And that’s a real shame.”