Audition notice: An Ideal Husband
We’re pleased to share details for our final show of the 2025/26 season, directed by Emma Merchant.
Written by Oscar Wilde in 1895, An Ideal Husband bubbles with romance, fashion, and society gossip.
But underneath the froth lies a deeper story of political corruption, blackmail, and the dangers of holding people to impossible standards. Wilde’s heartfelt answer to all of these is love and forgiveness.
It’s sad, then, and strangely ironic, that An Ideal Husband was to be Wilde’s last successful play before he himself was arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned in Reading Gaol.
The script for this production has been carefully abridged, remaining true to the Victorian original and retaining Wilde’s fizzing dialogues.
It offers 13 fine acting roles of varying size, and three or four fun non-speaking roles. Please note, ages are not fixed, but are for a guide only.
| Larger roles | |
| Sir Robert Chiltern, 40s-50s | A highly successful respected politician |
| Lady Gertrude Chiltern, 30s-40s | His adoring wife, high moral standards |
| Mabel Chiltern, 20s | Sir Robert’s sister; open, playful, genuine |
| Lord Arthur Goring, 20s-30s | A wealthy, idle socialite; hides wisdom beneath his sharp wit |
| Lord Caversham, 50s-70s | Goring’s critical father; comically, his son’s behaviour baffles him |
| Mrs Cheveley, 30s-40s | A clever schemer and blackmailer |
| Medium and smaller roles | |
| Mrs Marchmont, 30s-40s | A self-absorbed social butterfly |
| Lady Basildon, 30s-40s | Her companion butterfly and fellow gossip |
| Lady Markby, 40s-50s | Society dame who speaks much, says little |
| Vicompte de Nanjac, 20s-40s | A slightly ridiculous French attache |
| Mason, 30s-50s | Sir Robert Chiltern’s butler |
| Phipps, 30s-50s | Lord Goring’s butler; a mask with a manner |
| Mr Montford, 20s-30s | A young dandy, and member of Lord Chiltern’s staff |
| Non-speaking roles: party guests | Mr Barford, Lady Jane Barford, and the Duchess of of Maryborough |
Readthrough: Saturday 28 Feb: 2pm, WT foyer
Auditions: Friday 6 March: WT foyer, 7.45pm
Further auditions and recalls: Wednesday 11 March: WT stage, 7.45pm
First company readthrough: Tuesday 31 March
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, Thursdays, some Sunday afternoons
Performances: 16 – 25 July 2026
EMMA MERCHANT • Director
ceaj.merchant@gmail.com
NEIL HODGSON • Production Manager
hodgson_neil@cloud.com
Please note, any non-members wishing to audition will need to become a member if they are cast, before they are able to take part in the show. You can find out more about membership here.