Bad review – Callum Scott Howells shines as the nobleman in this hedonistic romp Video

Pcasting shy Colin in Russell T Davies’ 2021 TV drama That’s a Sin, Callum Scott Howells had to be a humble caterpillar compared to Olly Alexander’s extravagant butterfly. But now Mr Howell gets full butterfly control in a classy and hilarious drama from screenwriter Lisa Baker and director Celyn Jones, bringing back a forgotten chapter in Victorian history.

With a Proust-like mustache, Howells comically plays a very noble man. Henry Paget, 5th Marquess of Angleseya foodie and gentleman who, in the late 19th century, revealed his great heritage in secret theaters, wild parties and performances where he appeared in gender-defying costumes, including a diaphanous veil he wore as a “butterfly dancer”. He causes insults with his behavior and apparently an incompatible marriage with his first cousin Lily (Ruby Stokes), whose feelings for him here are perhaps more loving and tolerant than they were in real life.

Rupert Everett is excellent in the fictional role of the kind butler Gelert, and his performance is reminiscent of the viewer. his best moment as Oscar Wilde in The Happy Princethe god who teaches this play. Paget’s public work had – begrudgingly or bravely – taken place while the disgraced Wilde was still in prison; like Wilde, his life ended in French exile; and as Wilde described another man as “a peacock in everything but beauty”, so poor Paget is Wildean in everything but talent. Certainly Wilde, a prolific writer, would not have accepted living beyond his limits.

The film assumes that Paget wants her performances to raise money for orphans; the real reason may be more confusing than that. However, a strong conversion from Howells.