The Grange Playhouse, Walsall
Presents:
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
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15th - 25th July 2015
'A trivial comedy for serious people' - First performed on 14th February 1895 at the St James's Theatre, London, The Importance of Being Earnest has to be Oscar Wilde's most famous play. Over the years it has had dozens of famous performers portraying his delightful characters and it has been made into a film on 3 occasions.
The play is set in late Victorian London and touches on the social obligations of the time and how they were perceived by the young and old generations. Through comedy, Wilde can poke fun at the way society is run and how the younger generation gets round their social obligations.
Martin Groves has put on a splendid production. His direction was elegant and flowed well across the stage. He also created the set design which was constructed in such a way as it allowed the backstage crew to change from Algernon's Flat, to the Manor House Garden, to the Manor House Drawing Rooms with ease but still gave a good visual effect.
Lee Davies, who played Algernon Moncrieff and Rod Bissett who played John Worthing worked well together and their banter and bickers just rolled off the tongue as if they had been together for years. The chase around Algernon's flat over a cigarette case and the muffin argument around the Manor House Garden was nicely choreographed, full of pace, direction, but still audible, with good diction.
Sam Allan gave a lovely portrayal as Lane, Algernon's Servant who entertained the audience with her occasional despairing looks at heaven and sneaking a drink from Algernon's drinks table while no one was around.
As with many productions, Lady Bracknell was played by a male actor. David Stone delivered this part with the correct contempt, snobbery and mannerisms for the period and at times you even forgot that it was a male actor underneath the outfit!
Phebe Jackson gave a powerful performance as Lady Bracknells daughter, Gwendolen. She had great poise and elegance, mixed in with a youthful glow.
At the Manor House we met Cecily Cardew, the beautiful young ward of John Worthing. She was played by Natalie Ashcroft who delivered a sensitive, full of life character eager to see meet the man of her dreams.
Also at the Manor house, we have Miss Prism, Cecily's Governess (Gwen Evans) who has been hiding a dreadful secret for 28 years and has a soft spot for Rev Canon Chasuble (Brian Lycett). The two have some lovely moments and allowed the audience to believe there would be a romance sooner or later.
Making up the rest of the cast is Christopher Waters as John Worthing's Butler, Merriman and Luke Groves as his Footman.
The cast all gelled well together and allowed the play to go along with gusto and pace. The performance was in 3 acts with 2 intermissions, one being the usual 20 minutes and one 5 minutes which allowed the final scene change to be done with ease behind the curtains and passed with a blink of the eye.
This play tells a simple story of misunderstandings, social standings, secrets, double lives and love, but all rolled into one it makes for a great evenings entertainment with lively acting, wonderful costumes and all in all a great deal of 'drama'!
The Importance of Being Earnest runs at The Grange Playhouse until the 25th July 2015
To book tickets, please call: 07909 036 835 / 01922 625 100
The Grange Playhouse
Broadway North
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 2QB
Review by Jayne Rickard
Review by Jayne Rickard
