The Importance of Being Earnest

As you entered the Roundhouse Theatre for The Importance of Being Earnest, you encountered signs warning of adult content. While Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners is undeniably clever, it would not usually be considered that wild or ill-mannered. It is our first indication that this production is a little different.

Director Dan Bird adopted the adage that you should treat a classic like it is a new play. Set in a pseudo modern (1980s) world - with strong Victorian/Edwardian influences, there were (mostly non-verbal) updates that made this show much more risqué than we would expect.

Purists may have blanched at some judicious cuts, and Acts Two and Three were hammered together, leaving third act set “outside”.  Some of the inferences would have been unthinkable in the author’s era, but they were thoughtful and clever.

Student designer Ashley King’s striking two level set used strong rose imagery - with a major transformation from town to country at interval. Amalia Lambert, also a final year student, made strong costume decisions that set the time period (such that it is) and had beautiful lines. David Silvester gave us a supportive lighting plot, with Kevin Tan’s sound design also nodding to both 1980s and 1890s.

The “Earnests”, Jarryd Dobson (Jack) and Tom Jackson (Algernon), had wonderfully alternating camaraderie and rivalry.

Jessie Lancaster brought an edge and a touch of sexual aggression to the normally prim Gwendolen, while Kian Pitman blended ambition with sweetness as Cecily. Shannon Ryan formed a striking figure and formidable harridan as Lady Bracknell.

The love story between Lily Stewart’s awkward Miss Prism and Luke Smith’s decidedly odd Canon Chasuble was beautifully drawn.

Butlers Lane and Merriman were given a clear new storyline of their own, which employed their youth and physical comic skills. Highly energetic and bold performances from William Bartolo and Adam Marks.

While I am not sure that the updating always worked, the opportunity to let the creative team fly (which they did) and the journey of exploring the text, made the experiment worthwhile. Oscar Wilde’s beautiful text had the audience rolling with laughter, as did the physical moments that were added, and this was a fun night at the theatre.

Kimberley Shaw.

Photographer: Jon Green.