When setting “Lady Windermere’s fan” I would use an extravagant set, including large pieces of furniture and multiple portraits, on a proscenium arch stage to resemble the wealth of the key characters. This layout will also reflect the earlier performances of this production and suit the Victorian period. When playing Lord Darlington, I would be a good looking man in his early forties, with dark hair and dark eyes; this is to highlight a contrast between Lady Windermere’s innocence and puritan views (as she would have fair hair and light eyes).
The first scene I would perform in is the opening of Act 1 with Lady Windermere. As Lord Darlington, I would be wearing pale grey straight leg cotton trousers, accompanied with a white high collared shirt, maroon waistcoat and a dark coloured long coat. Upon entering stage left, I would remove my top hat after bowing and stating the line “How do you do, Lady Windermere?” When saying the line I shall lower my upper body but keep my eyes locked onto Windermere to demonstrate a clear connection between the characters. Lady Windermere should appear shocked my Darlington’s visit to demonstrate the Victorian society as the hours 4-6 were specified for close, intimate friends. I will use a slow gait when approaching Lady Windermere and offer my hand, also inappropriate of the time, which shows his rogue-like nature. My main aim for this scene is to present the contrast of morals between Windermere and Darlington, showing Darlington as a more questionable character.
As Lord Darlington, I would ignore the fact that Lady Windermere is still arranging flowers stage right, and begin to approach the table where a fan is lying. I shall state the line “And what a wonderful fan! May I look at it?” with emphasis on “wonderful fan” as this a symbolic prop in the production, which should become apparent to the audience through its emphasis. Upon hearing that it is Windermere’s birthday I shall look up with furrowed eyebrows and ask with an astonished tone “No? Is it really?”. This makes it clear that Darlington and Windermere are not close friends, which creates a contrast with Darlington’s following line “I would have covered the whole street in flowers for you to walk on.” At this point Lord Darlington should be peering up at Lady Windermere from the sofa, pausing for three beats, demonstrating how awkward his comment was to the audience. Lady Windermere should continue arranging flowers when announcing that Darlington annoyed her, prompting a shocked expression from him and a disbelieving laugh when stating “I, Lady Windermere?”. When Windermere reveals it was due to his “elaborate compliments”, I shall smile, lick my lips and say “They’re the only things we can pay”, whilst keeping direct eye contact with Windermere, showing the characters intensity. This will be emphasised when I say “I should like you to take me very seriously” as I will lean toward Lady Windermere and use a stern tone, but seeing her recoil slightly, I shall sit back up. This is because Wilde desired Darlington and his feelings of love to be played with sincerity. However, Windermere should demonstrate her uncomfortableness by avoiding eye contact, also causing the audience to feel uncomfortable by sensing her innocence. Throughout the conversation, Darlington should make strong eye contact with Windermere, and use a confident tone whilst still being seated – indicating his lax morals to the audience.
The second scene I would perform in is at the ball in Act two. For this scene I would lower a chandelier to demonstrate the wealth and upper-class of the Windermere’s. There will be a small stone barrier starting from stage left and being two metres in length, separating the apron from the rest of the stage without obstructing any of the performance. As Lord Darlington, I shall enter stage right with Mr and Mrs Bowden and Lord and Lady Paisley. The fact that I enter with two couples should indicate to the audience that Darlington is a bachelor, prompting a relationship with Lady Windermere. I shall mingle with the other characters towards the back of the stage until Lady Windermere approaches me and states “Will you hold my fan for me”, when I shall eagerly take the fan and hold it in both hands, not letting my eyes leave Lady Windermere. The fan is used as symbolism throughout the piece, suggesting possession and causing jealousy; highlighting that Lady Windermere is ‘giving’ herself to Darlington and that she trusts him more than her husband at this point. When Lord and Lady Windermere are having an argument about Mrs Erlynne, I shall face away still clutching the fan, until Lady Windermere requests it back and states “I want a friend tonight”. At this point, my face shall lighten up and I should lean towards her exclaiming “Lady Windermere!” but lowering my voice and looking around (in case other people may notice) when stating “I knew the time would come some day; but why tonight?”
Lady Windermere then drops her fan when Mrs Erlynne enters, showing she no longer trusts Lord Windermere. I would pause for three beats before picking up the fan; allowing the audience to feel the tension between the characters, and then hand it to Lady Windermere slowly stating “You have dropped your fan”. The audience may feel sympathy towards Lady Windermere due to her betrayal from her husband, but can assume that Lord Darlington and Lady Windermere are planning on an affair – making a tense atmosphere. I would then turn to Lady Windermere, with raised eyebrows showing worry and using a concerned tone to state “How pale you are!” before leading her out to the terrace which is the apron separated by the stone barrier. At this point there shall be no lighting on the apron as the scene continues in the ball room, however, just before Lady Windermere’s line “Yes. Her coming here is monstrous”, there shall be a spotlight on myself and Windermere on the terrace. I shall be very close to Lady Windermere, demonstrating that I am attempting to gain her trust and affections.
During this scene, Darlington’s more manipulative side should become apparent to the audience. One of the ways I shall demonstrate this is by putting emphasis on ‘you’ and ‘can’t’ when delivering the line “If I know you at all, I know that you can’t live with a man who treats you like this!” I would look into her eyes, place my hand on her shoulder in a reassuring way, but lift her chin up to face me when stating “Between men and women there is no friendship possible”. This is the first moment that Darlington expresses his feelings Lady Windermere, and I want the audience to feel shocked by his approach. Suddenly Lord Darlington declares his love for her, but she replies with “No, no!” out of surprise, causing the audience to squirm at the tension. The audience may also feel frustration towards Darlington as he could be seen as taking advantage of Lady Windermere by being too forward and manipulative. This is could be shown by Darlington taking Windermere’s hands when stating “My wife that shall be some day – yes, my wife!” in a loud, excited tone. However, when Lady Windermere doesn’t accept straight away, Lord Darlington becomes harsh and unpleasant, which I would demonstrate by throwing her hands down when stating “You are not what I thought you were” in a stern, bitter voice, straightening my mouth. The audience should be able to identify that Darlington is attempting to exploit her vulnerability by pressurising her and being insulting. I shall turn away from Lady Windermere after bitterly whispering “You have no courage; none!” I shall straighten up my suit, tighten my bowtie and sternly say “Tomorrow I leave England – “, not making eye contact until “Goodbye, Margaret.” I shall then look down and use a fast gait to exit stage right.