REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest

I believe, in all earnest, that even Oscar Wilde himself would have reveled in Bruiser Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest at The Mac in Belfast.

While there has been a hint of controversy prior to the opening of the show, one would be hard pressed to even consider such concerns upon having actually attended what I can only say is utter brilliance on the part of all involved.

As our two dashing Romeos bend the truth to spice up their lives, we quickly find their deceit unraveling all around them. Earnest is a non-existent brother created by the charming Jack Worthing as a ruse to escape dull country life and pursue the ravishing Gwendolyn in the city.thumbnail_Richard Croxford (Miss Prism)

Jack’s best friend, Algernon, likewise becomes smitten with Jack’s ward, Cecily, upon learning of her existence in the country. Of course, things get quite out of hand when they find their deceptions discovered, threatening to end their romantic pursuits.

This is the sort of madness that is Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, one of the world’s most enduringly popular comedies, boasting some of the funniest lines in the English language. It’s message on the social constraints of his time are just as relevant today as they were in 1895, when it first hit the stage.

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In Bruiser Theatre’s exciting production, celebrated director Lisa May puts a provocative spin on this comic masterpiece by casting an all-male ensemble – revealing new insights into Wilde’s comedy about courtship, hidden identities, and the foibles of high society.

With sensational actors dressed to the nines in truly befitting, somewhat androgynous, period garb, live piano accompaniment styled by Matthew Reeve and delightful vocals from the cast, The Importance of Being Earnest promises to lift your spirits with an evening of sparkling wit, laughter and love.

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This radical, gender-bending and absolutely wild interpretation of Wilde’s classic features the splendid cast of Ross Anderson-Doherty as Lady Bracknell, Richard Croxford as Miss Prism, Chris Robinson as Cecily Cardew, Samuel Townsend as the Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax, Joseph Derrington as Algernon Moncrieff, Joseph O’Malley as Jack Worthing and Karl O’Neill as Dr. F. Chasuble.

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You’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite among this group of men, as each delivered a superb performance in their various roles and musical harmonies. From the second they stepped onto the stage to the moment they performed their final number, they were all utterly fantastic. It was very much a fine example of brilliant casting that resulted in perfection.

The Importance of Being Earnest has been playing to a packed house and no doubt will continue to do so during its run from March 24 – April 15 2017, with a post-show discussion after the March 20 show and a special performance for the hearing impaired on April 5. Visit the MAC’s website for show times and to purchase tickets.

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