An Ideal Husband revolves around a blackmail scheme that forces a married couple to re-examine their moral standards — providing, along the way, a wry commentary on the rarity of politicians who can claim to be ethically pure. A supporting cast of young lovers, society matrons, an overbearing father, and a formidable femme fatale continually exchange sparkling repartee, keeping the play moving at a lively pace. Like most of Wilde’s plays, this scintillating drawing-room comedy is wise, well-constructed, and deeply satisfying.