Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s darkly witty short story, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is a delightful farce, full of Wilde’s signature playful exaggerations.

Lord Arthur Savile is preparing to marry his beloved Sybil when her formidable mother, Lady Julia, insists on ensuring there are no skeletons — past or future — in Arthur’s closet. She enlists the services of Mr. Podgers, a fortune-teller, who privately reveals to Arthur that he sees blood on his hands. Determined to deal with his fate before tying the knot, Arthur resolves to commit the crime. But who, exactly, should he kill and how best to murder someone?

Written (in the 1950’s) for the stage by playwright Constance Cox and directed by Molly Haddon, the production delivers a charmingly farcical tale packed with witty dialogue and a steady stream of chuckles from the audience.

Set in the 1890s, the show evokes a bygone era of Victorian elegance: a world where marriage was a societal expectation (“You can’t go on living a life of pleasure; you must get married”). It’s a portrait of high British society, where afternoon sherry is served on a silver tray by a butler and appearances are everything.

Making his post-graduate debut from the Actors Centre Australia, Brock Caramond is eccentric and dashing as Lord Arthur, with a flamboyant flair to his movements. Supported by a cast of delightful characters:  Catherine Layard is a sweet Sybil; Oliver Harcourt-Ham brilliant as the frightfully knowledge butler Baines; Julia Burns as dotty aunt Lady Windermere; Deirdre Campbell as dear old Lady Beauchamp; Christopher Hamilton as kindly Dean of Paddington; Sebastian Lodge as quirky Herr Winkelkopf; and Amy Silvana Thomas as maid Nellie.

Credit must go to the magnetic, if thoroughly unlikable, Roslyn Hicks as the steely Lady Julia, whose withering glares and caustic remarks make her the show’s standout antagonist. Her entrance, harsh lines and absurd seagull-adorned hat, had the audience in fits of laughter.

The detailed set design by Tom Fahy recreated an old Victorian drawing room with impressive depth and authenticity — from framed black-and-white photos on the piano to fresh flowers and a little window seat. Costumes were equally meticulous: elegant long dresses, gloves, and hats set the scene beautifully. Sybil’s costumes were particularly striking, especially the glittering gown she wore at the beginning, and the clever colour coordination between Sybil and Lady Julia suggested a shared dressmaker, subtly reinforcing their familial bond.

Live music was cleverly woven into the performance, enhancing scenes with silent, choreographed actions that added another layer of charm.

In true Wildean fashion, the show embraces the aesthetic movement’s principle of “art for art’s sake,” prioritising style and wit over moral lessons. The plot, centered on Arthur’s rather absurd sense of duty to commit murder, is light and ridiculous, but thoroughly entertaining.

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is easy entertainment — perfect for those who enjoy a charming diversion. While it doesn’t aim for emotional depth, it succeeds as a lively, nostalgic slice of Victorian comedy.

3 stars.

The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including interval. Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is playing at Genesian Theatre Company, until 7 June 2025.

For tickets visit Genesian Theatre