George
TewTo
give away too much about the plot of the wonderfully light and witty comedy The
Importance of Being Earnest would be to spoil it. Suffice to say that it has all
the features of a good, old-fashioned comedy - young love, mistaken identity,
unexpected revelations, and everyone living happy ever after in a most satisfactory
way. It features, of course, theatre's most famous handbag, and does indeed hinge
on the vital importance of having a particular Christian name.
|
Sally
Philips plays Gwendolen |
As
well as a perfectly constructed plot, the chief attraction of this work is the
dialogue: elegant, clever and above all very funny. I can't think of another play
where every third or fourth line gets such a laugh. The incomparable Lady Bracknell
delivers some of the most acidic putdowns you will ever hear, and the sparring
between the principal characters is sheer perfection. It would be tiring if everyone
was so brilliantly witty in real life, but it's hugely enjoyable to spend three
hours in the company of such verbal virtuosity.
This
is a fine production of a classic work. The cast hit just the right note of stylish
sophistication and brio, and even the minor role of the manservant, Lane, is very
amusingly portrayed. The sets are particularly striking, pleasingly capturing
the brightness of the piece with a few bold and simple touches, and avoiding the
unnecessary period clutter of stuffy drawing rooms and the like.
Oscar
Wilde's best-known work, this is a pleasure from start to finish. The play opens
a window into a sunnier, happier world. Make sure you see it before it closes.