The Importance of being Earnest

Amateur Societies face many challenges when they decide to stage an iconic piece of British comedy theatre. They will almost invariably be compared to the classic professional productions that have gone before and set the benchmark to be measured against. They will need a cast that understands the nuances of the show and one with the ability to interpret the plot line and bring to life the characters they are portraying in their own way without  straying far from the original.

Well the Westovians had such a cast for their production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of being Earnest”. The Society is blessed with an abundance of talented actors and a cross section of them was on stage for this excellent performance of Victorian comedy.
Andrew Dawson and David Hopper as Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff   respectively are two fine up and coming actors and played their roles of lovelorn heroes in fine style.
The classic role of Lady Bracknell was in the safe and very capable hands of Dolores Porretta-Brown, and what a wonderful job she made of it. The performance was second to none

Rachael Walsh (Gwendolen Fairfax) is a fine young actress and continues to excel. She was ideally cast for this role. Lynn Davidson (Cecily Cardew) is from the Society’s Junior Section but held her own in such good company.

If this was not enough talent on display these leading roles were brilliantly supported by the depth of experience and stagecraft offered by Eddie McNamee (Lane the Butler) Helen Russell (Miss Prism) Peter Dawson (Rev Chausuble), whilst David Gibson who is normally found set designing or costume coordinator  managed to incorporate the role of Merriman the footman into his repertoire.

Set over three acts the play had a fine tempo to it throughout and this was well matched by an excellent set, good lighting plot and costumes.
A lovely night’s entertainment.

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