The Importance of Being Earnest

It's more than a bit embarrassing to admit it – having been a regular reviewer for Stage Whispers for several years now – but this is the first time I've seen a professional production of any Oscar Wilde play. I have seen films of his plays and bio-pics of his life and, like most people with a thinking brain, I love everything that Mr Wilde stood for, but the opportunity just never came up.

Happily, my very high expectations were rewarded in spades. The clarity of purpose and genuine affection with which this piece has been brought to life is a sheer delight. On paper alone this play does not smack you over the head with its sophistication – the premise is so light-weight. Clearly Wilde took Shakespeare very seriously when he pondered: “what's in a name” because that's the entire premise. Pretentiousness and superficiality is the big picture and nomenclature is the paint.

To say it needs precise, nuanced characterisations to make it work is a monumental understatement. Each one of these players did more than simply perform their parts – they rolled around in them in a way that can only be described as luxurious precision. While it has become de rigueur for he character of Lady Bracknell to be played by a man, and attention is drawn to this fact in the show's publicity material, it's not like this production was in need of a gimmicks to make it fresh and appealing to modern audiences. Simply put, they just nailed it. Having said that, Andrew Benson does do a fantastic job of not being completely upstaged by his lovely frocks and incredible wig.

Burley Theatre have definitely lived up to their own hype - as they state in the last sentence of their impassioned mission statement on their website: “Burley Theatre is addicted to Theatricality”. This is one addiction I feel duty bound to shamelessly enable with over-the-top praise. Bravo.

Rose Cooper

Designer: Mason Browne

Lighting Designer: Benjamin Brockman. Assistant Director - Ava Stangherlin.

Featuring: Michael Walley as John Worthing, J.P.; Kurt Phelan as Algernon Moncrieff; Andrew Benson as Lady Bracknell, Paige Gardiner as Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax; Katie McDonald as Cecily Cardew; Tamlyn Henderson as Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.and Rebecca Clay as Miss Prism.