Having been able to see David Suchet in The Vaudeville Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest, I have now had the opportunity to see one of my favourite plays performed on stage.
A little slow on the uptake and in some cases more than a little shrill for my liking, the cast: with only one notable exception, were wonderful additions to a string of calibre actors who’ve graced the stage and film in this esteemed play.
By the second act Oscar Wilde’s comical insight illuminated the stage, witty, quick and full of comic modern twists, they bounced off each other incredibly well. Little Cecily Cardew (Imogen Doel) was an immense surprise, adding the familiarity of a somewhat over-stimulated spoilt teenager to her impression of the character. Stomping, huffing and swooning she blew the audience away as she slightly touched, emotionally unstable love-struck teen residing in the plush acres of Worthington’s “side of Shropshire”.
Gwendolyn Bracknell; the rather shrill Emily Barber, began as a high-borne delicate woman, her nose however was placed higher enough to ingratiate itself in the cumulus nimbus cigarette clouds drifting in the rafters. We were, of course, warned in advance of Algie Moncrieff’s (Michael Benz) pastime of lighting the odd cigarette during his rather suavely rambunctious diatribes.
Little Cecily Cardew (Imogen Doel) was an immense surprise, adding the familiarity of a somewhat over-stimulated spoilt teenager to her impression of the character.
Barber’s performance improved, far out-doing her rather an unimpressive co-star Michael Benz playing Ernest Worthing. Lacking some serious gravitas, the efficacy of Wilde’s wit was lost in his sluggish delivery; he was frequently overshadowed by his brotherly counterpart, redefining the jaunty swagger of the bourgeois gentlemen.
David Suchet as Lady Bracknell for me would not rank above the best performances but his facial expressions were perfect adding that required entitlement from the outset.
I say farewell and adieu as the show ends this week!
Politics of Opinion 