Nottingham Theatre Royal – Tuesday 22 April 2025 and on UK Tour
Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole
5*****
“Chaotic comedic chaos and an unpredictably delightful night at the theatre for all!”.
I’ve been reviewing theatre for many years now and have been seeing it since I was a child and having been fortunate enough to experience hundreds of productions all over the world, I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a professional theatre show like Earnest?
Earnest? starts like any other play, really, there are actors on the stage, there’s blocking being performed and a script being interpreted to an audience. However, soon into the show, it’s revealed that the lead actor is missing and a new lead, aka Earnest must be cast. Here begins the fun. From that moment on, the play unravels into a whirlwind of guided improvisation, with volunteers delivering iconic lines while professional actors, including the incredibly adaptable Josh Haberfield as director Simon and Guido Garcia Lueches as an original cast member, Terry, provide guidance, encouragement, and, at times, damage control.
Mixing live professionals with complete unknowns on the stage is genius. If you know the historic classic play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, then you’ll be aware of why this script may have been chosen. All our favourite elements from the story of misconceptions and misunderstandings are still there to enjoy.
The key reason this show is different from others is that to make it work, to engage, and to pull it off, they rely on audience participation to create the magic. It’s no secret or spoiler for this show that audience members are asked to leave their comfy seats and take the stage! A prospect that’s terrifying for many, but thrilling for others and this courage and curiosity is what the show relies on. In the Nottingham performance, a talented usher, Ned even wound up on the stage.
My favourite performances from the actual cast came from Ben Mann as Josh, the bewildered stagehand and props guy – his comic timing was brilliant throughout- and Trynity Silk as Jennifer, who is also behind the clever set design. She was memorable for all the right reasons.
The show and the team behind it as Say It Again,Sorry have had quite the rollercoaster in bringing the show to life, which, after big successes and rave reviews in London, was halted due to COVID. Having weathered the storm and survived as a show and a company, they’re about to take it back to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, after this UK tour ends.
Some of the cast and creatives popped their heads out after the show and greeted theatre goers in the foyer as they left and I caught the director and co-writer of the show, Simon Paris. I politely detained him a little and asked him (on his very hurried walk to his taxi with his family!) After seeing the show so many times in so many iterations, what still kept him excited and he shared “It’s those 3 seconds, the 3 seconds where you see if someone in the audience is going to join in and if they’re prepared to embrace the unexpected”).
Every performance is a gamble, a glorious roll of the dice where the audience steps up, and anything—truly anything—can happen. Each volunteer arrives with their own mix of nerves, enthusiasm, and sheer unpredictability, turning Wilde’s sharp satire into a living, breathing spectacle. Creative chaos reigns, with professional actors guiding their impromptu co-stars through the twists and turns of Wilde’s razor-sharp dialogue. The stripped-down aesthetic prioritises spontaneity, allowing the absurdity to unfold without distraction.
Beyond its entertainment value, Earnest? is a testament to the magic of live theatre—the vulnerability, excitement, and camaraderie that make every show unique, all depend on who is convinced enough in that moment to throw in some courage and put their hand up, to join in all the fun. Would you dare?
Whether you’re a Wilde purist or new to theatre, this production delivers laughter, surprises, and an unforgettable night of comedy that you’ll leave recommending to anyone who will listen.
Earnest is visiting theatres across the UK in 2025 and you can purchase your
tickets here (https://www.earnestshow.co.uk/#tour-anchor)