REVIEW: The Importance of Being Earnest, Boundary Players

This “trivial comedy for serious people” carries with it both a blessing and curse due to its popularity, something acknowledged by the director in the programme. 

The two male leads John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff both pretend to be something they are not in order to win the affections of Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew.

Throw in a manservant, a butler, a canon, a prim governess (with a big secret) and a formidable aunt and you have the ingredients for an evening of classic entertainment.

Worthing and Moncrieff, were played, respectively, by Alan Munday and Steve Schollar. The hilarious misadventures that followed were the result of their subterfuge.

The ladies carried their parts with ease. Emily Browne as Gwendolen was excellent with superb posture and clear diction. She was ably supported by Francesca Nunn as Cecily.

I particularly enjoyed their rapport, especially in the scene when they discovered they might be engaged to the same man.

The script, witty with great dialogue, needs cracking pace and timing. Occasionally the pace seem a little weary. David White had great stage presence in his minor, but pivotal, role as the Rev. Canon Chasuble and Louise Hayling was well cast as the prissy, bespectacled governess, Miss Prism.

Sue Barham was suitably acidic as Lady Bracknell and played her role with great confidence. Completing the cast were Richard Mier and Andy Abbott as Lane and Merrimen who played their roles with dry asides and knowing looks.

The set was excellent and created the scenes effectively with all the appropriate props. Congratulations to Paul Robinson, producer, Alice Grundy and Pat Archer (also assistant director) for the gorgeous, well fitting costumes.

It has been claimed that this play is the perfect comedy. Boundary Players’ production – under the direction of Chris Nunn - while not perfect was a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Chris Horton