This fabulous play directed by Paul Arends and Chrysanthi Fergani, and stage managed by Catherine Flower is an adaptation of the famous farcical comedy written by Oscar Wilde, who spent the summer of 1894 with his family at Worthing on the Sussex coast, where he began writing his new play ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ which was first performed on Valentines Day in 1895 at the St James’s Theatre in London.
This farcical comedic play depicts the tangled affairs of two young men about town who lead double lives to evade unwanted social obligations, both assuming the name Ernest, whilst wooing the two young women of their affections and gives the play a witty double meaning. Credit must be given from the set designed by Hayley Jeffrey, costume designers Carol Golightly and Angela Clarke and all involved who created beautifully convincing sets and characters depicting the 1890’s perfectly.
The play begins set in Algernon Moncreiff’s flat in London with his maid attending to his every need and serving a light afternoon tea of cucumber sandwiches and muffins in anticipation of a visit from Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen Fairfax. Algernon the lead character played by the brilliant Kyle Jensen, was superb and the standout performer of the night. Bringing humour, whimsicality and authenticity to his character and the stage, he wowed the audience and had them in fits of laughter and hanging onto his every word throughout.
Algernon’s cousin John Worthing played by Kenny Young arrives and the banter between the bachelor’s on their behaviour with the fairer sex is tantalizingly sexist as both assume a different name in the country to the city to hide their discretions. John admits he’s in a spot of bother with unpaid depts, dining at the Savoy, which catch up with him later in the play. John is very taken with Gwendolen and she of him and a coy courtship develops, only to be thwarted by Gwendolyn’s aunt Lady Bracknell played by the very talented Lorna Pout, who is blunt and cold and disapproves entirely of the union and is only interested and so comically acted throughout the play, in social standing and wealth and not emotional attachment in any way. She reminded me of actor Maggie Smith as Lady Violet Cawley in Downton Abbey, so hilariously dry and commanding.
Act 2 is set in the garden of John Worthing's manor house, with a fabulous backdrop of a beautifully painted scenic garden, by Hayley, Chris, Catherine, Kayleigh, Carol, Maya and Angela, where we meet the characters Cecily Cardew, John Worthing's ward and her governess Miss Prism. We also meet the Rev. Canon Chasuble who is the blatant affection of Miss Prism. Algernon appears uninvited and under the name of Ernest pretending to be John Worthing's brother, with a glint in his eye for Cecily and she of him. A lot of flirtatious behaviour ensues between all six characters, but both ladies Gwendolen and Cecily continue to insist that they can love only a man named Ernest.
Acts 3 and 4 are set in the morning room of the manor house, where we meet all the characters, who are waited on by their butler and servant and very entertainingly so. Hidden family secrets are unearthed during these scenes and eventually we are witness to three romantic engagements, leading up to the final scene which perfectly depicts ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ and it’s double meaning.
The audience clapped loudly and with admiration for a superb performance by all the cast and I think Oscar Wilde would be proud.
This production is running until Saturday 1st July.
Cast:
Servant Lane – Daisy Robins
Algernon Moncrieff – Kyle Johnson
John Worthing – Kenny Young
Lady Bracknell – Lorna Pout
Gwendolyn Fairfax – Cat Fox-Kirk
Miss Prism – Angela McComb
Cecily Cardew – Elle Murphy
Moulton – Dave Owens
Merriman – Manuj Rastogi
Rev. Canon Chasuble – Kevin Thomas
Gribsby – Samra Uddin
Crew:
Sound & Lighting - Tim Saint, Meg Doherty
Backstage – Michael Ananins
Reviewer: Jill Ollerton
On 31.07.26
