The Importance of Being Ernest

This was my first visit to the ‘The Theatre in the Hut’ and I sincerely hope it will not be the last. This was a complete theatre in miniature. Small stage with wing space, proper tip up theatre seating for approx 60 people, refreshment booth, box office and a lighting and sound box at the rear.

The performance commenced with the director on stage calling people to an audition, supposed members, passersby and even an old tramp lurking outside. He proceeded to give them all parts in his play ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ and they all went off stage to get changed. This was an amusing and unique way of introducing the performance.

The play was set in 3 acts and therefore had two intervals allowing the sets to be changed. The 3 minimal sets were well designed and attractive - a morning room in a city flat, July in a garden full of roses, and the library of a manor house. The era was the end of the nineteenth century and the sets and attractive costumes were perfectly in period.

The director ensured the pace of the play never dropped for a moment. It was well cast and the characters were finely drawn to match audience expectation. I did wonder why he had cast men in the roles of Lady Bracknell and Cecily Cardew, but the performances were very good and believable with no hint of flamboyance or exaggerated behavior. The humour of this renowned farce was paramount and the approving audience showed their appreciation throughout the play.

All the performances were very good. If I hadn’t been informed that Blair Ruddick had taken the role of John Worthing with only two weeks notice (the previous performer sustaining a severe injury in an accident), I would not have known. This was a mega role with much dialogue. Blair – congratulations on an excellent performance, you are a master of comedy with perfect timing. You are a consummate professional and deserve many thanks from the club and the Friday night audience.   You were very well paired with Coral Forde as Gwendolen Fairfax. She gave a sterling performance playing the ‘straight’ woman to your comedy.

Very ably supporting the cast as maid and manservant were Angela Lanario and Stephen Hughes. Mark Bennett and Paula Luke as Rev Chausable and Miss Prism made a perfect pairing, their acting was superb. Liam Richards grew into his role as Algernon Moncrieff, a talented performer who understood his character well. Cecily Cardew was played by Will Smart. This was a tremendous performance, looking very pretty and always composed, he never lost ‘her’ character for a moment, very well created, you were terrific!

Finally Lady Bracknell played by Gary Pullen. Gary looked tremendous, his stature, costume and makeup were excellent. I didn’t think he was a man playing a woman, I just couldn’t believe in him as Lady Bracknell. Fast speech pattern, at times unclear allowed humour to be lost or thrown away. Lady Bracknell is a pompous and totally aristocratic, steely, domineering and stately, woman! But I must add that as a man playing this role you did an impressive job.

I loved this play, the audience loved this play and my husband and I had a very entertaining evening. It was lovely to meet many of your club members and I congratulate everyone concerned for the excellent performance of a classic satirical play in a small but beautifully formed theatre.

 

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