Scribblings of Robs

14 Aug 2010

Lady Windermere’s Fan

I headed off to the Masque Theatre this weekend to go check out Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan. I have never seen any of Oscar Wilde’s pieces performed so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Director: Brenda Gray
Society: Claremont Dramatic Society

Runs Until: 21 August

Venue: Masque Theatre, Muizenberg
Bookings: Call 021 788 1898
(09h00 to 16h00 during the week and 09h00 to 11h30 on Saturdays).
Tickets: Weekdays at 20h00 and Saturdays at 14h30 and 18h30. Tickets are R50 for Thursday evening and Saturday afternoons and R60 for all other evening performances

CAST:

Michele Belknap Mrs. Erlynne
Luella Holland Lady Windermere
Andre Thomas Lord Windermere
Matthew Browne Lord Darlington
Mike Tompson Lord Augustus Lorton
Jane Cohen Duchess of Berwick
Clifford Graham Mr.Dumby
David Campley Mr. Cecil Graham
Ruth Allsopp Lady Jedburg
Su Cunningham Lady Stutfield
Allison Blair Lady Plymdale
Gizelle Willows Lady Agatha
Mary Faragher Mrs Cowper-Cowper
Nigel Sweet Parker
Adrian Kettle Sir James Royston
Sheldon Cross Mr Hopper
Anthony Lister
Caryn Underhill Rosalie
Chris King Mr.Guy Barkley
Sven Yaffe Footman

What I Thought:

Let me just say that even though I haven’t seen many productions at the Masque; this is without a doubt the best I have ever seen. I am literally going to gush for several paragraphs as to how beautiful, polished and just plain gorgeous it all was. The set was breathtaking, the costumes amazing and the attention to detail was immaculate. There was nothing on that stage that had been overlooked.

Performances were outstanding, the women elegant and the men handsome. Holland was stunning as Lady Windermere and the scenes with Mrs Erlynne (Belknap) were incredibly touching. I can’t run through everyone because we would be here forever but they were all so well cast. The Duchess of Berwick ( Cohen) and her terribly, talkative daughter (Willows) were definite highlights as was the scene with Lords Windermere, Darlington, August Lorton, Mr Dumby and Mr Cecil Graham discussing good women.

Also got to hear one of my favourite lines We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars.

Everyone added to this production and you know what? My gushing is not even doing it justice, so do yourselves a favour and go see it  I am so proud of and happy for this cast. Their curtain call brought a full house to it’s feet and deservedly so.