…Earnest?

…Earnest? at the Adelaide Fringe is nothing short of a belly-laugh-inducing delight. This riotously clever take on Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest takes an unexpected turn when the lead actor fails to show, throwing an unsuspecting audience member into the spotlight to save the day. What follows is a wildly unpredictable, interactive theatrical romp of the very best kind.

The cleverness of …Earnest? lies in its balance of mayhem and mastery. While the structure encourages some hilarious improvisation, the cast always remain in complete control. They guide their volunteer ‘stars’ with remarkable confidence, ease and comic timing that keeps every spontaneous moment filled with fun as the ‘ring-ins’ become co-conspirators in the chaos. There’s a huge sense of playful pandemonium with off-the-cuff auditions, and even stage whiskey and muffins making unexpected cameos; all handled by the performers with a professional flair that only makes the production even more entertaining.

…Earnest? is a belly laugh from start to finish. The script crackles with witty asides and clever improvisations, and the players act with such incredible expressiveness that it is clear the cast are having as much fun as their unsuspecting audience. The staging is creative without being over complicated, allowing the comedy to shine, while the costumes are appropriate to the period and visually appealing which adds another interesting layer to the absurdity.

Clever without being cheesy, and ridiculous without losing substance, …Earnest? is effervescent, witty, and just so much fun! It’s an inspired Fringe offering and, quite simply, if you want a good belly laugh, don’t miss this great night out.

Peta Bojanic

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