Last updated 11:59, Monday, 28 July 2008

I THOUGHT I'd mis-read the invitation. It said Neil Bartlett's play, In Extremis, was due to start at Keswick Theatre at 10.45pm.

What does the future hold for Oscar Wilde

But no this hour-long play does indeed start at such a late hour. And in many ways it makes sense for Keswick Theatre to sneak in an extra play after the audience in the main house has left the building. Too often I have rushed a meal at a Keswick restaurant in order to get to see a show starting at 7.30pm or 8pm. In Extremis offers you the chance to enjoy a leisurely meal, wander down to the theatre and enjoy a short show. All you need is a glass of port and cigar to make the evening complete!
In Extremis is probably just the right play for this slot: Entertaining but also thought-provoking. It looks at a visit Oscar Wilde made to a palm-reader when he was considering sueing the Marquis of Queensberry for accusing him of homosexual practices. The visit took place a month after the successful opening of The Importance of Being Earnest which is currently being staged at Keswick.
It's a wonderful idea for a play and great fun to speculate what the palm reader might have said - and indeed what Oscar might have said.
Peter Rylands takes on the challenge of playing Oscar Wilde - just how do you 'do' Oscar Wilde without slipping into pastiche? Peter gives it a good shot, thankfully choosing to underplay the wild exagerrations chosen by other intepretations.
Pamela Buchner has an equally difficult role playing the part of a Victorian palm-reader - how easy it might have been to slip into some Madame Arcati. She chooses instead to treat the 'science' of palm-reading with respect and intelligence.
They gave convincing performances but I don't think either role sparkled. It's an intriguing play and its late-night slot is an inspired piece of marketing. Enjoy your restaurant meal at leisure and wander down to see In Extremis - you won't be disappointed. AC

In Extremis is at Keswick Theatre until November. Phone 017687 74411 to book.

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