So, you are about to get married when your bride's mother gets you Checked out and you discover you are a murderer in the making. 
What do you do?
A: Laugh it off. 
B: Call it off 
C: Commit the murder during the fortnight left before the wedding. 
If you answered mainly C, you're an Oscar Wilde in the making. The dramatic possibilities of the third option inspired his short story, Lord Arthur Savile's Crime. The story was adapted for stage by Constance Cox and is the choice of Riverside Drama for its next production. 

Lord Arthur Savile (Paul Norris) is engaged to be married to the lovely Sybil Merton (Donna Chinn). Everything seems to be perfect until Mr Podgers (Rob Osmond), a palm reader, acting on behalf of Sybil's mother, Lady Julia (Emjay Saddler) checks out her future son-in-law's past and future. 

Podgers finds an unblemished past but foretells that Lord Arthur will, at some point, commit a murder. 

Arthur feels duty-bound to get the dirty deed over and done with before the marriage and sets about choosing his victim, and method of disposal. 

He receives both help and hindrance from his butler, Baines (Martin Holtom) and the German anarchist Winkelkopf (Brian Hooker). 

Paul Norris says one of the challenges in playing Arthur is the enormous amount of dialogue, although its natural rhythm and flow has made it relatively easy to learn. 

"It's enjoyable to put yourself in that situation - the 1890s, with wonderful costumes and with a proper way of talking and presenting yourself and, of course, the Wit," he said. 

"The lack of respect that Wilde had, that ability to make fun of that type of character, is an appeal that endures." 

April 10-12
The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton
Oscar VVilde's tale of pre-wedding stresses presented by the Riverside Drama Company, at 7.30pm nightly. Tickets £5 (concs £3.50)