“An Ideal Husband,” produced by Walking Shadow Theatre Company at Red Eye Theater

David Beukema as Lord Goring and Teresa Marie Doran as Mabel. Photo: Dan Norman

Walking Shadow Theatre Company doesn’t produce period plays, typically, but its artistic directors have had Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” in the back of their minds for quite a while, I was told. They pulled it out at just the right time, coinciding nicely with action taken by the U.S. House of Representatives recently to restrict insider trading by its members and other government officials. The correlation with the inciting incident that drives the plot of this 117-year-old play is eerie enough, but Wilde’s treatment of the play’s subject matter navigates an all too familiar minefield of moral dilemmas, all the while pointing the finger and those who point fingers. Walking Shadow nailed the timing on this one, and delivers beautifully on Wilde’s complex and masterful play.

Sir Robert Chiltern (Adam Whisner) is beloved by his virtuous wife, Lady Gertrude (Sarah Ochs) and admired by his peers in Parliament for his moral fortitude and  tireless work for the public good. Enter a woman from his past, Mrs. Cheveley (Heidi Berg) who needs his support of a financial gamble she took. She’s somehow acquired the proof of Sir Robert’s one youthful indiscretion, which made him a rich man. It also gave him the means and the stature to accomplish so much good in his career.

The Chiltern’s best friend, Lord Goring (David Beukema) is the lovable dandy whose unapologetically frivolous approach to life raises the ire of his father, Lord Caversham (Alan Sorenson), and charms his lady love, Mabel (Teresa Marie Doran). He may lead a silly life, but he is principled, and supports his friends until the play’s satisfying resolution.

The play is loaded with the familiar Wilde absolutes, “I never” or “I always,” which the characters proclaim over and over, followed by a ridiculous paradox meant to amuse, but usually with enough irony built in that Wilde’s satirical point — about London society, personal habits, relationships, politics and government, or any other topic — is made. Lord Goring gets the best of these, playing the character closest to Wilde himself. Beukema tosses them off with just the slightest affectation — just enough.

In fact, what I liked about this production is that it was not affected, which is saying something when you’re doing Wilde. With outrageous lines, overblown acting fits, right? Wrong. Wilde has endured not because of his outrageousness but because what he’s really saying is true. It is to director Amy Rummenie’s credit that she just didn’t sucker for style over substance. With Beukema and Whisner setting the tone, the acting — and the actors — happily avoided drawing attention to themselves all night long. How refreshing! This let us thoroughly enjoy watching the story unfold, drawn into the heart and soul of the characters as people, not actors, and able to fully appreciate the ending’s impact.

Whisner is totally believable as a politician who isn’t nearly as brilliant as society has made him; Ochs’ relatively straight role is a tough one against the comic ones, but she’s a comfortable fit; Sorenson plays the irascible father with great likeability; and Doran’s Mabel is lively and appealing. Berg as the villainous Mrs. Cheveley brought the chill into the room with each entrance, but a more commanding voice would have added intensity. The night was Beukema’s, though. He (like the playwright) had that quality that keeps him separate from the other characters and their London society, while still existing in it.

The set was attractive, functional and flexible; women in long skirts could glide across the floor and around staunch pillars with ease. Costumes were charming, but not always helped by a some bad wigs, and it was a challenge to buy Lord Goring’s point about décolleté, or “not quite enough clothes” with not a single ample bosom in sight.

The show runs through February 25.  Red Eye Theater, a cozy, welcoming space, is located just south of the Nicollet Mall downtown. There are several bars and restaurants nearby for before- or after-theater noshing, and parking after 6:00 p.m. was not an issue. Recommended!