Oscar Wilde’s 1921 short story, ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’, in a fresh adaptation by Constance Cox, tells a very humorous, irreverent story, as one would expect from one of the world’s greatest writers and humorists.
In Wilde’s story, Lord Arthur Savile’s wonderful, blessed life is turned on its head after a meeting with highly regarded clairvoyant, Mr Podgers. Podgers looks into Savile’s future and tells him that he is going to commit a murder, and that there’s nothing he can do about it. The news leaves Savile distraught and he tries to work out a way to incorporate a murder into his life!
Lord Savile decides on a life of crime. He will commit a murder, find a murder weapon and a victim, as soon as possible, and involves his trusted confidante and butler Baines in his plans. Once the murder is out of the way, he can then happily marry his sweetheart Sybil, and they can then live a pure and happy life together.
Timothy Bennett’s production for the Genesian theatre company serves this very playful piece well, and the audience lapped it up with plenty of laughter. Bennett plays the piece very droll, wry and deadpan, and the largish cast do well with it. Daniel Felkai gave a pleasing performance in the leading role, with his character, hardly a Macbeth like figure, having great difficulty in carrying out the deed. Felkai was well supported by Robert Drew as Baines, his butler and confidante.
As Herr Winkelkopf, Tom Massey gave a good, mad professor kind of performance in the show’s most obviously comic role as the bumbling explosive expert, Herr Winkelkopf.
As the swarmy Mr Podgers Bendeguz Daniel Devenyi-Botos made a suitably creepy villain. Rodney Stewart gave a good turn as the good natured, bumbling Dean of Paddington. Danielle Dormer did some nice comic way as the cockney housemaid Nellie forever announcing unexpected visitors.
Peter Henson’s set and costume design was a highlight with a strong, traditional stage design for the Savile living room and flamboyant costumes, wigs and hats for the cast. I’ve never seen before a hat with a couple of pigeons perched on it. Now I have!
Timothy Bennett’s production of ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’ plays the inner city Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney, until the 27th February, 2010.