Ruby in the Dust Presents Oscar Wilde's LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, 5-23 August
By: Jillian Gaier Jul. 28, 2014
Oscar Wilde's celebrated classic Lady Windermere's Fan has been transported to the 1930s in this brand new production which comes to the King's Head this August. Lady Windermere's Fan was the playwright's first big hit and when it premiered in London in 1892 it catapulted him to success.
Young, rich, beautiful and happily married, Lady Windermere has it all. Until her husband invites a mysterious widow to her 21st birthday ball. Who is she? Why is she there? What is their secret? Suddenly everything that Lady Windermere holds dear is in jeopardy. Nothing is as it seems in this satirical thriller, full of intrigue, jealousy, and Oscar Wilde's famous, inimitable one-liners.
By special invitation from the King's Head Theatre, this new version, updated to the 1930s, is presented, whose previous successes at the King's Head Theatre include The Great Gatsby, Bonnie and Clyde and an acclaimed adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Starchild.
Ellie Nunn is to head the cast of Oscar Wilde's masterpiece. Nunn who is fast gaining a reputation as a great acting talent, recently delivered an acclaimed performance Joanna Murray-Smith's Bombshells at Jermyn Street Theatre. In 2011 she was directed by her mother Imogen Stubbs in Stubbs' own work Not About Angels at The ADC Cambridge. Now she takes on the role of Wilde's wronged heroine in Wilde's masterpiece of wit and scandal.
Directed by Linnie Reedman it is set against the backdrop of the popular songs of the1930s, with a mixture of live music performed by the cast and a sound design by Joe Evans.
Reedman says: "Setting Lady Windermere's Fan in the 1930's is not a unique concept. More famously the feature film "A Good Woman" starring Scarlett Johansson did just that. The numerous references to the modern world, economics and fashion sit well within the 1930's framework and possibly resonate better to a modern audience. The huge sums of money that Mrs Erlynne demand gain a more sinister note in the emerging depression. Mrs Erlynne herself is an uncanny precursor for the notorious Mrs Simpson. The divorced Mrs Simpson was just as mercenary and ambitious in her desperation to be accepted amongst the aristocracy and aroused the identical feelings of distaste and fascination. They share the same desire to outrage in flamboyant dress and manners. However Mrs Erlynne has even darker secrets and resorts to blackmail to conceal her identity."
Formed in 2006 by Young Vic genesis director Linnie Reedman and acclaimed composer/musical director Joe Evans, Ruby In The Dust has over a dozen productions under its belt, including shows both on the fringe and the West End and other site specific venues. Past credits include the critically praised The Great Gatsby Musical, Hutch (both at Riverside Studios), Miracle starring Susannah York and Tim Woodward, (St Andrew Church Crypt and Leicester Square Theatre) and Bonnie and Clyde (The King's Head Theatre) and most recently Dorian Gray (Riverside Studios)
Press Night: Thurs August 7th at 7.00pm
THE KING'S HEAD THEATRE
115 Upper Street Islington
London N1 1QN
Highbury & Islington or Angel Underground
August 5 to August 23
Tues - Sat 7:00pm
Mats Sun 3.00pm
(Extra matinee Sat 23 August - 3.00pm)
Tickets £15.00 - £25 Previews August 5th, 6th & 7th £10
Box office 0207 478 0160
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