ORIGINALLY written by Oscar Wilde, Trevor Baxter’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime was well received last night by a most appreciative audience in Cardiff’s New Theatre. The story is told in the style of a melodrama that was very much to the taste of the Victorian playgoer.
The story revolves around Lord Arthur, played by Lee Mead (winner of BBC’S Any Dream Will Do) who, just before marrying his fiancée (Louisa Clein), receives a palm reading. It tells that in his future he will commit murder. Terrified that the person he may kill could be his beloved, Lord Arthur reasons that, if he kills someone else first, then he and his bride can live happily ever after.
With tongues firmly in cheek, the game cast never miss a beat. Making a surprisingly smooth transition from musical theatre to straight plays Lee Mead is exceptional in the very demanding title role. His charismatic presence and sublimely camp ‘toff’ accent proved to the audience that there is far more to him than his Technicolor dreamcoat.
There’s fantastic support from Kate O'Mara and Gary Wilmot and the rest of the cast, who deliver every line of Wilde’s snappy dialogue to perfection, pulling out the moments of humour with delicious aplomb.
Director Christopher Luscombe expertly creates the feeling of yesteryear whilst never allowing proceedings to look tired; the set designs, with their colourful and kitschy feel, sit perfectly in this world he has recreated. The stage and set lovingly recreates a lost world of pecadillos and bonbons, as footman (Victor Burbidge) lights gas-lamps and manages large cards that drolly describe each change of scene, while on-stage musicians (Anna McNicholas; and Matthew Wycliffe, also doubling as a policeman) provide melodramatic punctuation at just the right moments.
At just two hours duration this is joyous and fun for all ages - an enjoyable piece of escapism and due to the game cast and Wildean bon mots, it will leave you smiling.
Runs until Saturday 17th April.
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