Review: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Noël Coward Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Max Webster’s unapologetically exuberant version of The importance of Being Earnest is now playing at the Noël Coward Theatre with a new all-star cast.
A visual treat, Rae Smith’s set and costume design makes the play pop with colour and jubilation, matching the high energy of this star-studded cast who make the audience feel like they’re in the joke with their tongue-in-cheek delivery and numerous breaches of the fourth wall.
Friends Algernon Moncrieff (Olly Alexander) and Jack Worthing (Nathan Stewart Jarrett) bounce off one another as they gadabout town (and country). Their perfect comedic timing never misses a beat, with Alexander bringing sparkling mischief and joviality, balancing with Jarrett’s more skittish, sensible role.
Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew and Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax are a real highlight; their high-energy performances and genuine chemistry bringing the characters to life and both clearly relishing the modern flourishes added to the script.
Despite having smaller roles, Hugh Dennis and Shobna Gulati are stand-out, but it is Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell who shines brightest here. Fry’s mastery of Wilde’s dialogue is a privilege to experience. Managing to side-step panto dame, he embodies the righteous Bracknell with aplomb, delivering Wilde’s most well known lines with flair and grace.
Packed with physical comedy, particularly from the always hilarious Hayley Carmichael, Earnest sits just the right side of slapstick, delivering laugh after laugh, as the farcical plot unfolds.
There have been some smart updates to the 130 year old script, but they don’t feel clunky or shoe-horned, rather adding a modern zest to Wilde’s writing, highlighting the camp undertones and gentle mocking of societal expectations.
A raucous and elaborate take on duplicity and identity, this production sizzles with joy and light, delivering a delicious slice of fun and frolics.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Cara Brazier
