Oscar Wilde 
An Ideal Husband 

‘An Ideal Husband’ is a four-act play by Oscar Wilde that revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour. It was first produced at the Haymarket Theatre, London in 1895 and ran for 124 performances. Sir Robert Chiltern, a member of the House of Commons and junior government minister, hosts a party one evening. But among his guests, is the wily Mrs. Cheveley, an enemy of many years to Sir Robert’s wife, Lady Chiltern. She seeks to blackmail the minister using information she had acquired about his past dealings that resulted in his great fortune. Her information threatens to bring an end to Sir Robert’s marriage and reputation, forcing him to make some unpleasant concessions…