The Importance of Being Earnest Review

York Theatre Royal until Saturday 21st April 2018

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4.5****

The Importance of Being Earnest, the classic comedy by the great Oscar Wilde, returns to York thanks to the The Original Theatre Company.

The tale revolves around two gentlemen who at various times during the show, pretend to be someone else, Ernest, in order to woo the girls of their dreams. What follows is a humorous web of lies that unravels before our eyes.

Algernon Monicrieff (Thomas Howes) is a bit of a buffoon, a member of the upper wealthy class, living a life of total bachelorhood, frivolous and self absorbed. He has created an imaginary friend Bunbury in order to escape and use as an excuse to decline unwanted invitations. His friend, Ernest, who is really Jack Worthing (Peter Sandys-Clarke), is the respectable land owner, who has an estate in the country, but he leads a deceptive life in town, a bit of a rouge, but desperate to marry Gwendolen Fairfax (Hannah Louise Howell) Algernon’s cousin. Unfortunately for him he must convince her mother, the fearsome Lady Bracknell (Gwen Taylor), that he is worthy and comes from the right stock, easier said than done as we get to find out.

Once back at his country house we meet Cecily Cardew (Louise Coulthard), Worthing’s ward, who after hearing tales of his younger brother, Ernest, who is really Jack in his town persona, fancies herself in love with. Enter Algernon, deciding to take it upon himself to become Ernest and propose to Cecily. It all sounds so very bizarre and I suppose it is, but watching it on the stage it makes complete sense and is at times hilarious.

The whole cast were a real credit to the show, but Howes portrayal of Algernon was brilliant, full of physicality, flamboyance and foppish charm, complimented by Sandys-Clarke’s more understated, but still superb, Jack. I must also mention Susan Penhaligon and Geoff Aymer as Miss Prism and Rev Chasuble. Their flirting and her swigging out of a hip flask were memorable moments, such comedy.

The show was split up into 3 acts with 2 intervals, allowing for set changes, from Algernon’s flat, to Jack’s country house and then finally the library inside his house. During the first act we could even smell smoke from the cigarettes they were smoking, I do not miss those days I can tell you, but it was effective and helped the scene.

I have never seen this play before but would definitely go again. First performed in 1895, it is great to see that it can still engage an audience today. Full of energy, wit and charm, it kept me thoroughly entertained for the whole show, laughter aplenty,  I left the theatre with a huge smile on my face.