Auditions for the classic farce “An Ideal Husband” by Oscar Wilde are scheduled this Sunday afternoon. This will be the first show of the 2015 season at Theater 29. Reporter Rebecca Havely has the details…
Theater 29 veteran director Butch Pelfrey seeks eight men and six woman for the cast of “An Ideal Husband,” a farce set in London 1895.
In “An Ideal Husband,” Sir Robert Chiltern seems to have everything: considerable wealth, a blissfully happy marriage to a wife who idolizes him, and a stellar career in politics with the promise of even greater things to come. Suddenly he is faced with a terrifying choice: see his career and his marriage in ruins as a secret he thought was buried long ago threatens to erupt, or be party to a swindle of international proportions. Either way he faces disgrace, self-disgust and much, much worse: the knowledge that he will no longer be his beloved wife’s ideal husband.
Sir Robert Chiltern, 40-60ish. Sir Robert is the play’s “tragic” hero, a government official who owes his success and fortune to secret scandal. Sir Robert is a “personality of mark” with a manner of impeccable distinction; the contrast between his chiseled jaw and romantic eyes suggests a violently willed separation of thought and emotion in his personality
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, 40-50ish. A woman of grave Greek beauty, Lady Chiltern embodies the Victorian new woman: upright, virtuous, educated, politically engaged, and active in her husband’s career
Mrs. Cheveley, 30-50ish. One of the play’s wittiest and most well dressed characters, Mrs. Cheveley is the vicious and opportunistic villainness, a disciple of the deceased Baron Arnheim who values wealth and power above all.
Lord Goring, 20-30ish. Of impeccable dress and inimitable wit, Lord Goring is the play’s thirty-something dandified philosopher, an idle aristocrat.
Mabel Chiltern, 20-30ish. An exemplar of English prettiness, Mabel, Sir Robert’s pert and clever younger sister.
Lord Caversham, 40-60ish. Father to Lord Goring, Lord Caversham, described as a “fine Whig type,” is a stuffy, serious, and respectable gentleman who is firmly opposed to the excesses of his dandified son.
Lady Markby, 30-60ish. A pleasant and popular woman with “gray hair à la marquise and good lace.”
Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont, 40-60ish. Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont are described as “types of exquisite fragility” with an affection of manner of delicate charm.
Vicomte de Nanjac, 30-50ish. Attaché at the French Embassy in London, is a young man famous for his ties and Anglomania.
Mr. Montford, 30-50ish. A “perfectly groomed” young dandy and secretary to Sir Robert.
Phipps, 20-30ish. A “mask with a manner” who serves Lord Goring. Phipps is the ideal butler.
James, 20-30ish. A minor character, James is Lord Goring’s footman.
Mason, 20-30ish. Butler to Sir Robert Chiltern.
Harold, 20-30ish. Sir Robert’s footman.
Auditions will be held November 23 at 3 p.m. at Theater 29, 73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms. You should also attend auditions if you are interested in helping backstage with costumes, props, or sets.
AUDITONS FOR “THE IDEAL HUSBAND” AT THEATRE 29 SUNDAY
