Williamstown Theatre Festival, 7/6/05 - 7/17/05

Written in 1892, Oscar Wilde’s first brilliant social comedy, Lady Windermere’s Fan is a lively, clever farce that chronicles a series of misunderstandings and deceptions in the high society world of Victorian London.

Lady Margaret Windermere, a modern and independent woman, decides to leave her husband of two years when she believes he's been unfaithful with the mysterious Mrs. Erlynne. However, after taking the advice of Lord Darlington, a man who is in fact in love with her, she resolves to fight infidelity with infidelity. But all is not as it seems, and it is Mrs. Erlynne who must save Lady Windermere from certain scandal.

At the core of the drama is Jean Smart as Mrs. Erlynne, arguably one of the most interesting female characters ever to be written by a man in the 19th century. Mrs. Erlynne comes with a bit of a shady past by Victorian standards, and as events unfold, the startling true nature of her relationship with the Windermeres is revealed.

"Most of my career has been classical theater," said Smart. "I love Oscar Wilde but I have never done a Wilde play. There's some rather moving elements to the play, and also some hilarious elements to the play."

Besides the fact that Mrs. Erlynne intrigued her, Smart enjoys doing period pieces and looked forward to the costuming opportunity, from the corsets to the gowns. The part also provided a chance for Smart to affect an English accent.

"I wanted to challenge myself that way. It's also an incredible role and to do it with Moisés Kaufman directing -- who is an expert on Oscar Wilde -- it was too good to pass up," she said.

Directed by the Tony and Emmy nominated Moisés Kaufman, the production launched the Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2005 season and inaugurated its new Main Stage.

Reviews:

"As Lady Erlynne, Jean Smart has the most dashing role in the play and seems to revel in it. She sweeps about the stage with dignity (and purpose) and is gloriously not penitent in the final scene." -- Frances Benn Hall, Berkshire Theatre Reviews

"With her queenly posture, impeccable diction and lovely contralto, Smart lifts Moisés Kaufman's production to heights of style and intelligence." -- Malcom Johnson, Connecticut Stage

"Smart is excellent, and her monologue near the top of the second act is tour-de-force acting, close-up." -- Michael Eck, The Times Union

"Smart offers a refined and dignified Mrs. Erlynne, who over the years has learned from and paid dearly for a decision she made as a young woman. Besides adding her dazzling star to the stage, Smart puts a human face on those whom society judges. Despite portraying a fallen woman -- at least by Victorian standards -- from her grand entrance into the Windermeres' party to her graceful and painful departure from their lives, Smart lends an extra touch of class to the production." -- Karen Gardner, North Adams Transcript

"Jean Smart excels as Mrs. Erlynne, a bit unsure of her own position in society but eventually making herself an ally of Lady Windermere. This is positive, rewarding acting." -- Robert Couture, Bennington Banner

"...Smart summons some compelling emotions." -- Sandy MacDonald, TheatreMania.com

"This production's Mrs. Erlynne is television's "designing woman" Jean Smart. She fully lives up to her name as Wilde's version of a Victorian designing woman who has more honor than a lot of the "good" society ladies who scorn her company." -- Elyse Sommer, Curtain Up