Nicholai La Barrie’s production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband is now in rehearsals ahead of its run at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre this May.
Set to be staged on the 100th anniversary of its last appearance at the Lyric in 1926, this contemporary production of the classic comedy uncovers the love, betrayal and scandal that prevails in the rarefied world of modern, affluent London.
Present day. London. Sir Robert Chiltern is riding high on all the very best that modern life has to offer a man of his impeccable taste and pristine reputation. He’s got it all: the house, the wife, the style. All seems well until the arrival of the crafty Mrs Cheveley, who has a taste for drama and secrets to spill. Her revelations threaten disgrace, betrayal and public embarrassment: so how far will this perfect gentleman go to prevent his downfall? Scandal is trending. Forgiveness is optional. And perfection comes at a price.
The cast features Emmanuel Akwafo as Mason/Phipps, Jeff Alexander as Earl Of Caversham, Nimmy March as Lady Basildon, Suzette Llewellyn as Lady Markby, Tamara Lawrance as Lady Chiltern, Tiwa Lade as Mabel Chiltern, Chiké Okonkwo as Lord Chiltern, Aurora Perrineau as Mrs Cheveley, Sule Thelwell as Vicomte De Nanjac and Jamael Westman as Lord Goring.
The full creative team includes director La Barrie, set & costume designer Rajha Shakiry, lighting designer Zeynep Kepekli, sound designer Holly Khan, movement director Alexzandra Sarmiento, casting director Heather Basten, assistant director Gráinne Flynn, intimacy director Bethan Clark, associate sound designer Vanessa Garber, associate costume designer Mariama Bojang, design associate Yimei Zhao, associate lighting designer Rick Mountjoy, associate movement director Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, company stage manager Claire Bryan, deputy stage manager Jade Hunter and assistant stage manager Jack Bond.
The production will run Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, June 6, 2026 before transferring to Bristol Old Vic. Tickets here.
Top image: An Ideal Husband rehearsals – credit Helen Murray (image supplied)