An Ideal Husband at the Vaudeville Theatre

Once upon a time, I was less than enthusiastic about Elliot Cowan. Yes, he's super good-looking. But I was utterly unconvinced by his Macbeth.

His performance in An Ideal Husband at the Vaudeville has changed all that.

Last night he was witty, smooth, and clearly enjoying himself as Oscar Wilde's loveable dandy Lord Goring. Such better casting than when he failed to make an impression as Macbeth earlier in the year.

Even with a prop malfunction (ripping a purple letter in two as he produced it from the envelope), and a couple of fluffed lines (Wilde doesn't let up on those learning his scripts, does he?), his confidence flowed through the part.

Fiona Button also seems to be having a whale of a time on stage. As the Importance-of-Being-Cecily-like Miss Mabel, she gets a whole lot of the laughs in this pretty serious play. I really liked her "I have no character at all," quips.

It probably goes without saying that the other three leads were great.... you can read more on them in my  londonist review, or in this great review from the arts desk.

The play is great too. Certainly thought-provoking; and the only quibble I had was that, as usual, it could've been whittled down slightly into something even more perfect.

But for an enjoyable, grown-up, intelligent night in a West End theatre, I don't think much beats it at the moment.

Read a more thorough review of An Ideal Husband on londonist