AN IDEAL HUSBAND
A PLAY
BY OSCAR WILDE
* * * * *
METHUEN & CO. LTD. 36 ESSEX STREET W.C. LONDON
* * * * *
First Published, at 1s. net, in 1912
* * * * *
This book was First Published in 1893
First Published (Second Edition) _by February 1908 Methuen & Co._ Third Edition October 1909 Fourth edition October 1910 Fifth Edition May 1912
THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY
THE EARL OF CAVERSHAM, K.G.
VISCOUNT GORING, his Son
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN, Bart., Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs
VICOMTE DE NANJAC, Attaché at the French Embassy in London
MR. MONTFORD
MASON, Butler to Sir Robert Chiltern
PHIPPS, Lord Goring’s Servant
JAMES }
HAROLD } Footmen
LADY CHILTERN
LADY MARKBY
THE COUNTESS OF BASILDON
MRS. MARCHMONT
MISS MABEL CHILTERN, Sir Robert Chiltern’s Sister
MRS. CHEVELEY
THE SCENES OF THE PLAY
ACT I. The Octagon Room in Sir Robert Chiltern’s House in Grosvenor Square.
ACT II. Morning-room in Sir Robert Chiltern’s House.
ACT III. The Library of Lord Goring’s House in Curzon Street.
ACT IV. Same as Act II.
TIME: The Present
PLACE: London.
The action of the play is completed within twenty-four hours.
THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET
Sole Lessee: Mr. Herbert Beerbohm Tree
Managers: Mr. Lewis Waller and Mr. H. H. Morell
January 3_rd_, 1895
THE EARL OF CAVERSHAM Mr. Alfred Bishop. VISCOUNT GORING Mr. Charles H. Hawtrey. SIR ROBERT CHILTERN Mr. Lewis Waller. VICOMTE DE NANJAC Mr. Cosmo Stuart. MR. MONTFORD Mr. Harry Stanford. PHIPPS Mr. C. H. Brookfield. MASON Mr. H. Deane. JAMES Mr. Charles Meyrick. HAROLD Mr. Goodhart. LADY CHILTERN Miss Julia Neilson. LADY MARKBY Miss Fanny Brough. COUNTESS OF BASILDON Miss Vane Featherston. MRS. MARCHMONT Miss Helen Forsyth. MISS MABEL CHILTERN Miss Maud Millet. MRS. CHEVELEY Miss Florence West.
FIRST ACT