The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde was a brilliant author and he would have been delighted to see and hear how his wonderful play was brought to life by this excellent company. One hundred years after this classic was first performed the play retains popularity and a general fascination. This village hall audience were provided with a well-paced production of good quality so all involved should be proud of their efforts. Director Simon had obviously done his research with regards to the set, costumes and props. All were delightful and it must help the performers to know they and their surroundings looked splendid.

Stevie Lambert (Algernon Moncrieff) set the standard for the rest of the cast from his first appearance and went from strength to strength through the evening eating his way effortlessly through cucumber sandwiches. Next on the scene came Jack Worthing cleverly portrayed by Zahir White with good stance and great facial expressions. Next on my list comes Nadya Henwood as the indomitable Lady Bracknell, every inch the upper-class Victorian lady. All three of these performances were excellent, each character carefully delineated, with diction very clear throughout.

In Act two in the setting of Jack Worthing’s Hertfordshire manor house garden, artfully constructed in front of the stage, we were introduced to Cecily Cardew, the attractive young ward of Jack Worthing, who is secretly in love with Jack’s fictitious brother, Earnest. A delightful performance here from Mercedes Cook, with excellent interaction between her and Gwendoline Fairfax, very well played by Tanya Bean, when they first met both thinking they are engaged to Earnest.  I was particularly impressed with two lovely cameos, Gary Krost (Canon Chasuble) and Kath Spring (Miss Prism) who brought delightful touches of humour in their respective performances. Completing the cast were John Croote and Steven Knopf as a man servant and a butler. Small but important parts not to be overlooked.

Following a second interval, with the stage transformed into a morning room of the manor house, overlooking the terrace, the comedy draws to its climax. Lady Bracknell recognises Miss Prism as the family’s former absent-minded nanny, responsible for the disappearance of the Bracknell’s young nephew, who now as Jack Worthing is finally revealed as Algernon’s older brother Earnest Moncrief.

The play was obviously well rehearsed, timing of the dialogue ensuring there was no lack of pace, not easy to achieve but so essential with this particular piece. They should all be congratulated on a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

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