Why Lady Windermere?

Chester House Productions specialises in adaptations of great literary works - to date, John Aubrey’s ‘Minutes of Lives’, Mrs Henry Wood’s ‘East Lynne’, Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ and a selection of dramatised readings of Dickens.

Oscar Wilde’s ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, first produced in 1892, is better known for its title than its storyline which, like most of Wilde’s plays, is full of witty nonsense. It lends itself well to a short play based on the famous characters of Lord and Lady Windermere.

The underlying universal themes of passion, betrayal and struggles to keep up appearances in an apparently shallow society underpin the cynical gossip indulged in by Wilde’s characters.

This production, updated to 1960, with a flashback to the 1920s, sees Lord and Lady Windermere dressing for a dinner party.  They recall that near-disastrous evening of thirty-five years ago; secrets which have lain long-hidden are gradually revealed, testing the strength and depth of their apparently happy marriage.

It does not matter whether audience members know the original play or not, although those who do will recognise passages of pure Wilde and enjoy afresh the foibles of Lord Darlington, Lord Augustus, Cecil Graham, Mr Dumby and the redoubtable Duchess of Berwick. For those who come fresh to Oscar Wilde, this is a chance to explore the delights of his wit and appreciate his understanding of human weakness and strength.

Vera Hughes and David Weller

	“Who are these payments to? And what for? Who is it, Arthur? What’s her name?”
“I am not going to give you any details about her life.” “You should not mention this woman and me in the same breath.”
	“She told me ‘for my own good’ that you had been seeing another woman.”
“Arthur, if that woman comes here, I shall insult her.”
	“God, what am I to do? How can I hurt her?”
“Arthur, if only you had come for me.” “How could I? I didn’t know you were there.”
	“Arthur, how long have you known?” “Oh, for a long time.”
“Arthur, all these years I’ve been in the gutter, but now…”
	“Margaret, I’m so, so sorry.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Arthur?” “I couldn’t.”
	“Margaret, listen to me.” “Let go of me.”
“Arthur, I’ve just had a thought!”
The Setting for ‘Lady Windermere’ Please note: The minimum space required for this is: Width 15 feet (5 metres) Depth 12 feet (4 metres) preferably on a stage or raised surface (please click on the photo for a larger image)

back to top