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Lady Windermere’s Fan, Arts University College Bournemouth, Lighthouse, Poole.

OSCAR Wilde’s comedy of manners is a wonderful insight into the social mores of Victorian society, and every aspect of that was brought out in this absolutely delightful production.

It was clear from the beginning that this cast had done far more than simply learn their lines – the way they spoke, stood and sat was pure 19th century. Additionally, every word and meaning came over loud and clear so that one was drawn completely into the characters’ world of hypocrisy where social chit-chat demands that one agrees with the sentiments of the person one is conversing with and, on a higher level, people do not ever bare their souls, no matter what secrets are hidden there.

Polly Cockelle was absolutely in every way the recently wed Lady Windermere, showing girlish delight in her forthcoming 21st birthday celebrations followed by complete despair when she is told by a ‘friend’, The Duchess of Berwick (an excellent Caitlin Edwards), of Lord Windermere’s apparent dalliance with another woman, Mrs Erlynne (a superb and deeply moving Emily Heron). And her scene when she wavers between running off with Lord Darlington (Nicholas Farr) and returning home to her husband was incredibly moving. She also earned brownie points for picking up, completely in character, a decoration that had fallen from her hair – a small point perhaps, but invariably when this sort of thing happens the offending item often seems to become invisible, and remains on stage until the end, unless someone kicks it off.

David England seemed at first slightly uncomfortable as Lord Windermere, but this passed and his performance grew in stature, particularly in the third act. That scene, in Lord Darlington’s rooms, gave the men a real chance to shine and they took it to a man, with excellent performances from them all and, in particular, Adam Beckman (Lord Augustus).

The co-operation of other departments in putting on these productions is a happy arrangement, so costumes and make-up were first-class - as indeed were the wonderful set, lighting and sound effects. Congratulations too to whoever chose the incidental music, with the likes of I Dreamed I Dwelt In Marble Halls conjuring up the period to perfection.

And the curtain call was among the best I have ever seen, with butler Parker (a fine performance from James Benedict), finding himself alone in the room so starting the gramophone and waltzing around with the maid, all the other couples then entering and dancing with them, bowing and curtseying with a flourish at the end before exiting to leave Lord and Lady Windermere upstage, lit by a single spotlight.

In a few short months these young people will have finished their course and will walk away with BA Honours degrees and hopes of a theatrical career. This cast, in my opinion, have all earned the right to take their place on the professional stage.

Linda Kirkman 

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