The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic play by Oscar Wilde, filled with witty dialogue and enough twists and turns to make this a firm favourite of audiences across the world. However, bringing this play forward in to the 21st century can sometimes leave the audience feeling lacklustre, yet Nikolai Foster’s adaptation brings the audience right into the heart of this satirical look at Victorian life.
The play follows the story of two young bachelors, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, in the pursuit of society’s most eligible young ladies. However, when they invent fictional characters to use as excuses to avoid unbearable social events their world becomes tangled in a web of lies and mishaps which inevitably ends in hilarity.
Fela Lufadeju as Jack Worthing is a triumph, standing resilient and strong throughout, showing outstanding range and depth for such a young actor. Worthing’s counterpart Moncrieff (Edward Franklin) is, for me, one of the highlights of the play, bringing the perfect amount of cunning and mischief to make him hilarious. These two characters really bounce off each other – however, this sometimes become too much and some of the comedic value was lost as some of the jokes were missed by the audience because the dialogue between the two became too fast. This improved as the play went on as they relaxed into the performance.
Sharan Phull’s portrayal as Cecily Cardrew was exceptional, really bringing forward the innocence and naivety of a young girl experiencing her first love. This could have become irritating, but Phull’s performance was very likeable and she shone as the young love interest.
Although this piece is set in Victorian England, the incredible set creation from Isla Shaw seemed to breathe new life into the classic, with its edgy almost futuristic set back-dropping this Victorian satire. The audience is also treated to outstanding costumes with spectacular colours and designs – especially Lady Bracknell’s extravagant dresses which brought a true feel of the times to the piece.
Lady Bracknell is played by the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson. Ms Tyson brings this formidable lady to life with expert precision, making Lady Bracknell not only a memorable character but also a memorable performance.
This production of the Importance of Being Earnest strives to bring this play into the 21st century using new-age designs, mixed with fast paced, witty dialogue and some outstanding performances make this a very enjoyable tribute to Oscar Wilde. ★★★★☆ Georgina Randall 15th September 2016
