The Importance of being Earnest

The Importance of being Earnest

Devonshire Park Theatre

Eastbourne

 24-28 April 2018

Show seen 24th April

Cast

(Speaking Order)

Thomas Howes as Algernon Moncrieff

Simon Shackleton as Lane / Merriman

Peter Sandys-Clarke as Jack Worthing

Gwen Taylor as Lady Bracknell

Hannah Louise Howell as  Gwendolen Fairfax

Judith Rae as Moulton

Susan Penhaligon as Miss Prism

Louise Coulthard as Cecily Cardew

Geoff Aymer as Rev. Canon Chasuble

For me an Oscar Wilde play has always been one of those productions that has always received the Marmite response "I don't like it!". When what I actually mean is "I've never actually read it, or seen it... and it's very old so I probably won't like it."

It's all a bit ignorant really knocking something you've never tried and I'm glad I got the opportunity to see something a  bit different for a change. Yes with flamboyant vintage costumes and comedy devoid of inuendo filled humour we have become accustomed to these days it is very different to modern comedy. 

But this is comedy that came from a much more reserved, refined era. In that sense you have to appreciate just how much skill had to go into the writing to keep an audience laughing. So, no smutty innuendo, no swearing, no nudity, no sex references whatsoever. Instead a total reliance on unique characters, great acting, a well designed wardrobe and a humorous storyline to hold the attention and to keep us all amused. 

The Importance of being Earnest delivers all that from a very accomplished cast. 

Gwen Taylor and Susan Penhaligon give the totally convincing performances you'd expect from two well known names from our TV screens. But nobody disappoints in this production. In fact Louise Coulthard appears to be the actor with the fewest acting credits of the lot and yet her portrayal as Cecily Cardew I found to be incredibly funny.

This entertaining 3 act, 2 interval, play deserves to have more audience members who are willing like me to try watching a comedy from a bygone era. I have to admit I tried unsuccessfully to recruit a couple of friends to see this play tonight and both declined that they would not like it. 

I hope by writing this review at least a few people will consider giving a play they have never seen a chance. If we all take this blinkered view on older plays theatre as we know it now will gradually die. That would be a tragedy when writers like Wilde actually had to put so much work into getting laughs without causing offence to anybody. That took real talent.

Please enjoy this lovely Original Theatre Company production if you get the chance. Print This Entry