Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime by Mr Oscar Wilde
Adapted By Trevor Baxter
Directed by Christopher Luscombe
At Richmond Theatre 8th – 13th February
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is amongst the earliest of Oscar Wilde’s short stories and, as it is full of dialogue, it easy to see why it should be adapted for the stage. In keeping with the piece it is a natural as a piece of Victorian Melodrama. There are some marvellously over the top vignettes from Derren Nesbitt as Herr Winckelkopf and David Ross as The Dean of Chichester, but most of the dialogue is led superbly by Lee Mead as Lord Arthur Savile backed up by Louisa Clein as Miss Sybil Morten and Kate O’Mara as Lady Windermere. Special mention must be of the splendid performance of Gary Wilmot as Mr Septimus Podgers. Even more special mention must be made of the delightful set which turned the inside of this magnificent Victorian theatre into the inside of a magnificent Victorian theatre! The set did work splendidly with backdrops and rapid set changes totally proficient and a tribute to those Victorian craftsmen who were the stage hands. So on a cold winter’s night this piece made for a delightful evening.
But Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is a bit more than a piece of light Victorian melodrama. Like most of Oscar Wilde’s work it is very cleverly constructed and amongst the witticisms there are some deep and meaningful observations about society and the problems we have in living our lives.
In very quick succession Wilde considers predestination/free will, the nature of relationships in marriage, the process of gossiping and then gives us the conundrum of how one decides who to kill. At the same time the dialogue is showered with gems such as ‘True education is making everyone learn English’!
The plot is simple; Lord Arthur Savile is engaged to be married to Miss Sybil Merton but has a chance encounter with Mr Septimus Podgers, a chiromantist or palm reader. At first Mr Septimus Podgers is reluctant to reveal what he has seen in Lord Arthur Savile’s hand, but then tells him that he has seen a murder by Lord Arthur Savile, but knows not who has been murdered! Supposing that it might be his beloved Miss Merton, Lord Arthur Savile decides to murder one of his relations, but which and how? Should it be poison or explosions? For the French kill passionately, the English sadistically and the Russian explosively. But can he kill them in time before the clock ticks on and the grim reaper does his job without the intervention of Lord Arthur Savile. So the murders are bungled and then we are introduced to Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime.
So is there a truth in fortune telling? Many have believed in the runes including Oscar Wilde and Adolf Hitler. I know not, but I do know that if you go to see this show you will enjoy the evening.
Reviewed by Evan Rule
