The Importance of being Ernest

The Importance of being Earnest

Kingsley Players

21/5/25

 

"The Importance of Being Earnest," a satirical comedy by Oscar Wilde, follows the story of Jack Worthing (Andrew Rauer) who leads a double life: in the country he is known as the respectable Jack Worthing while in London he lives as the frivolous "Ernest." His elaborate pretence of a brother named Ernest allows him to escape the confines of Victorian social expectations.  No one but Jack knows that he himself is Ernest. When in London Jack (Ernest) falls in love with Gwendolen Fairfax (Rosie Hannah-Wilson), the cousin of his best friend, Algernon Moncrieff (Andrew Wilson),  and the daughter of his formidable Aunt Lady Bracknell (Julia Burgess). However similarly, his friend Algernon pretends to have a friend; a chronic invalid named Bunbury, to whose deathbed he is forever being summoned whenever he wants to get out of some social obligation.  Despite his deceptions, Jack is ultimately portrayed as a caring responsible person whilst Algernon is an opportunist, exploits his easy charm, wit and cynicism to perfect effect.

Kingsley Players chose to use a thrust stage for this three-act production, which worked very well allowing the scenes to seamlessly move from Algernon’s London flat to Jack’s country house.  The play opens in Algernon’s flat; he is expecting Earnest to call, he has is in possession a cigarette case with a questionable, yet intriguing inscription. He instructs his manservant Lane (Simon Hetherington) to produce the said case. When Jack explains that he plans to propose marriage to Gwendolen Algernon demands to know why he has a cigarette case with the inscription, "From little Cecily with her fondest love."  He explains that his real name is in fact Jack Worthing and Cecily is an elderly Aunt. The banter between Jack and Algenon relating to the limited height of his supposed Aunt Cecily is absolutely hilarious. A masterclass of humour and timing.  Jack reluctantly confesses that Cecily is his ward, a responsibility imposed on him by his adoptive father’s will. Jack says he’s been thinking of killing off this fake brother, since Cecily has been showing too active an interest in him, which attracts Algernon’s interest.

Gwendolen and her mother, Lady Bracknell arrive, which gives Jack an opportunity to propose to Gwendolen. Jack is delighted to discover that Gwendolen returns his affections, but he is alarmed to learn that Gwendolen is fixated on the name Ernest, which she says “inspires absolute confidence.” Gwendolen makes clear that she would not consider marrying a man who was not named Ernest. Lady Bracknell interviews Jack to determine his eligibility as a possible son-in-law, she asks about his family background. Jack finds he must reveal he knows neither his mother or father, but is a foundling who was left in a handbag at Victoria Station. Lady Bracknell responds: A handbag!! To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. This is of course very disturbing to Lady Bracknell, who insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents to the marriage.

Kingsley Players welcomed Caroe Shinkfield to direct this legendary play with witty dialogue, clever satire, timeless humour and engaging themes such as marriage, social expectations and the lifestyle of the English upper class, considered by many to be Oscar Wildes greatest achievement. Carole obviously knew what she wanted for this production, setting it in the 1930’s was genius, superb casting, classic staging Jane & Vic Wodhams & Team, hair & makeup and charming costumes Shae & Martina Keith-Stewart. Joan Barker & Madeline French. Lighting & Sound Neil Silcock, Mike Vickers & Kenton Barker. Great production team.

Act 2, Algernon shows up at Jack’s country estate posing as brother Ernest, who is immediately besotted with Cecily Cardew (Emily Earps) Meanwhile, Jack, having decided that Ernest has outlived his usefulness, arrives home in deep mourning. Relating a story about Ernest to Dr Chasuble (Simon Hetherington) and Miss Prism (Sue Elliot) Cecily’s Governess having died suddenly in Paris. He is enraged to find Algernon with Cecily masquerading as his brother Ernest but has to go along with the charade.to conceal his own deception While Jack changes out of his mourning clothes, Algernon asks Cecily to marry him. He is charmed when she reveals that her fascination with “Uncle Jack’s brother” led her to invent an elaborate romance between herself and him several months previously. Algernon then learns that part of Cecily’s love of the name Ernest, which, unconsciously echoing Gwendolen, she says “inspires absolute confidence.”  We the audience are aware that Jack and Algernon, each having separately made arrangements with Dr. Chasuble to be christened Ernest later that day. Merriman (David Copley) Jack’s manservant, announces the unexpected arrival of Gwendolen to surprise her betrothed Earnest. Gwendolen is shown into the garden, where Cecily orders tea and attempts to play hostess. Cecily has no idea how Gwendolen figures into Jack’s life, and Gwendolen, for her part, has no idea who Cecily is.  Cecily informs Gwendolen that her fiancé is really named Jack and Gwendolen informs Cecily that hers is really called Algernon and is her cousin. The two women demand to know where Jack’s brother Ernest is, since both of them are engaged to be married to him. What a scene wickedly witty with very sharpe dialogue.

Act 3 takes place in the drawing room of the Jack’s country house, Cecily and Gwendolen are reassured of their men’s motives, but still concerned over the issue of the name. However, when Jack and Algernon confess that they have both made arrangements to be christened Ernest that afternoon, all is forgiven and the two pairs of lovers embrace. At this moment, Lady Bracknell’s arrival is announced demanding to know what is going on. Gwendolen confirms her intentions to marry Jack Worthing, and Algernon informs his aunt his intention to marry Cecily. Jack tells Lady Bracknell that, as Cecily is just 17, as her legal guardian, refuses to give his consent for her marriage to Algernon. Lady Bracknell suggests that the two young people simply wait until Cecily comes of age. Jack takes great delight in informing her that under the terms of her grandfather’s will, Cecily does not legally come of age until she is thirty-five. She asks Jack to reconsider; he points out that the matter is entirely in her own hands. As soon as she consents to his marriage to Gwendolen, Cecily can have his consent to marry Algernon. However, Lady Bracknell refuses to entertain the notion.

Dr. Chasuble arrives and happens to mention Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism. At this, Lady Bracknell asks that Miss Prism be sent for. When the governess arrives and catches sight of Lady Bracknell, she begins to look guilty and furtive. Lady Bracknell accuses her of having left her sister’s house twenty-eight years before with a baby and never returning, she asks where is the baby.

It is revealed that Miss Prism is in fact the absent-minded young nurse who twenty-eight years previously misplaced the baby of Lady Bracknell’s sister.  Absentmindedly placing the baby, not a manuscript, in a handbag leaving it at Victoria Station. Jack being that misplaced baby we now realise is indeed the legitimate son of Lady Bracknell’s sister, and is named after his father Earnest, meaning he is Algernon’s elder brother. Jack realises that he has been telling the truth all along, and he does have a wayward younger brother. The couples embrace once again, including Chasuble and Prism. Jack then acknowledges that he understands ‘the vital Importance of Being Earnest’

This was an accomplished performance from Kingsley Players, with an exceptional group of actors. We loved your energy and understanding of this beautifully written comic play which mocks the trivial hypocrisy of the class system. Thank you for my invitation it was truly a blast.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4.

 

 

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