The Importance of Being Earnest - theatre review

The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild presents one of Oscar Wilde's witty, charming and complex social plays, with a talented cast.

The plot grows complex yet is enjoyable and culminates in further frustrations for a fitting finale.

The plot follows Jack who resides in the country yet calls himself Earnest while in the city and his friend from the city, Algernon, creates an invalid friend whom he uses as an excuse to avoid tiresome social obligations. Jack loves Gwendolyn who is Algernon's cousin and Algernon loves Jack's young ward, Cecily. Complications arise as both men pose as Earnest in order to marry their beloved.

Wilde About Earnest by Linh

The Importance of Being Earnest requires brilliant comic timing, masterful diction and a skilled interpretation to accurately convey Wilde's satirical social comedy of deception, love and identity.

Under the direction of June Barnes and Ann Weaver (making her directorial debut), The Importance of Being Earnest manages to combine all of the above to revive a favourite for regular theatre-goers while introducing a sparkling production to a new generation.

The ensemble cast is adept and comfortable in their roles giving impeccable performances throughout, with a few cast members working with the Theatre Guild for the first time.

Experienced stage actress Pam O'Grady makes her first appearance with the Theatre Guild as the irrepressible Lady Bracknell whose over-exaggerated aristocratic flair is played to the hilt. O'Grady gives Lady Bracknell the right amount of self-importance and snobbery all too prevalent in the aristocracy of the times and works her charms on the unsuspecting Jack Worthing.

Self confessed slave to theatre, David Thring, gives the gawkish yet affable Jack Worthing some spark and charm as the country boy who discovers his true identity while in pursuit of his beloved Gwendolyn. David's clarity in diction and nuances of expression superbly colours his character's foppishness.

Versatile performer Marieka Hambledon makes her Theatre Guild debut as the Victorian debutante Gwendolyn. Marieka brings out the headstrong vixen in Gwendolyn during scenes with Lady Bracknell and displays classy cattiness in her tea and insults scene with Cecily. Her clear diction, accent and hilarious hoity toity mannerisms makes Marieka a fine Gwendolyn and favourite among the audience.

Thrusting himself back onto the boards is Andrew Lawlor who is relishing the role of suave and irritatingly charming Algernon. Making general conversations with clever quips such as " the truth is rarely pure and never simple" Algernon exemplifies aristocratic hypocrisy and silliness. Andrew's simplistic matter of fact style in characterisation and delivery is consistent throughout, yet with more variety he would add more depth and intrigue to the deceptive Algernon.

After four years in Sydney, Abby Coleman returns to Adelaide with her Theatre Guild debut as Jack's 18 year old ward Cecily. Abby requires more work on her diction yet her performance as the virginal and wickedly enticing Cecily is delightful.

A wonderful support cast gave equally solid performances including Lindy LeCornu as Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, who is the key to unlocking the intricate plot. Gary George is the jovial Dr Chasuble who is intent on unlocking Miss Prism's heart. Even the servants play a part in the plot with Norman Athersmith as Jack's servant and John Sharpe's role as Algernon's servant, in coughing discreetly to announce a person's arrival or seemingly bemused at the behaviour of the upper class.

The Importance of Being Earnest is well staged in the intimate atmosphere of The Little Theatre, with Ole Wiebkin's stage/set design beautifully reflecting Wilde's aesthetic spirit of poetry, music , drama and visual arts.

The costumes are lavish with rich colours of burgundy for Lady Bracknell, blue, purple and white for Gwendolyn and Cecily in deep peach, with the aristocrats' attire complimented with dazzling jewels and stylish hats.

In earnest, this is a thoroughly entertaining production of Oscar Wilde's wittiest and satirical of plays, which reminds us all that the pun can be elevated to high art.