Pressure to achieve perfection, political blackmail and forgiveness are all aspects of life explored in the second theater production of the 2012-13 season for Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance.

Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” runs Oct. 18 through 21 and 25 through 28 in the Stevens Building O’Connell Theatre.

The play examines the personal and public lives of London’s late 1800s social elite. The action takes place in a 24-hour period, beginning with a dinner party hosted by Sir Robert Chiltern. When a female guest tries to blackmail Sir Robert, dirty details of the characters’ relationships come to light.