The Importance of being Ernest

The Importance of being Earnest is the classic Oscar Wilde comedy

Richelle Pitt-Chambers directed the play, and she really had thought about building up the farcical elements of the play well.  It needs to build to the crescendo at the end which Richelle judged well.

The two males lead John ‘Jack’ Worthing (Michael Miles) and Mr Algernon Moncrieff (Stevie Musk) were very well cast and performed well.  Stevie kept in character the whole time he had the flair needed with an element of campness; I have no idea how much bread he ate throughout the course of the show! 

Lady Augusta Bracknell was played by Allie Neal.  Her diction was wonderful, and her character was one of aristocracy.  I loved her facial expression when she realised Cecily had money!  Gwendolen Fairfax was performed by Sophie Harris.  Sophie gave Gwendolen an air of importance and of a lady who knew what or should I say who she wanted!

Alice Smithson played Cecily Cardew.  Cecily came across as an excited teenager.  She came across as the opposite to Gwendolen and it worked well when the two met in Act 2.  Miss Prism was played by Linda Friis, and she came across well especially in her scenes with Ross Edwards as Rev. Canon Chasuble.  Lane and Merriman were performed by Neil Wallace, I did feel for Neil in the heat his moustache had no chance of staying on.

The costumes were well chosen and looked good.  I want to say how well all performers did in the heat with those heavy costumes on, not easy and kudos to the gentlemen for managing to make sure they always had handkerchiefs on them.

The set was inspired and in my opinion one the best I have seen at The Lytton Theatre.  It is a small stage and a hard stage to keep the pace up, having the garden over to stage right it meant that the curtain could be closed and another set, set.  The pace was quick and not easy in this space.

This is a classic play that if not paced correctly it could feel long, but this did not it was well thought out and well put together. Thank you to everyone for their hospitality as always.

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