YOU might assume that a play focusing on the etiquette of the late 1800s, and set in the upper strata of society among folk who casually banter about their town and country "piles" might have little resonance in an age dominated by the narcissistic obsessions aroused by digital media platforms and apps, as they are apparently labelled, that forswear physical face to face dealings.
Lady Bracknell played by Hilary Maclean
Well, in fact ingenuous self-infatuation easily transfers across the generations as that roguish Irish playwright fellow Oscar Wilde – himself enmeshed in such larks - so exquisitely describes in his exceedingly amusing romp about a couple of chaps wooing two "classy gals;" which descends into an infectiously funny mistaken identity farce that perhaps influenced that later master of the genre Brian Rix.
It is a long-standing favourite of theatregoers and this production of ‘Earnest’ is a kind of joint effort between Theatr Clwyd and Liverpool’s famous Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) which presents a terrific embracing of the very essence of Wilde’s caustic wit and acute observations of human behaviour; and still yet captures modern mortals in its thrall.
Director Richard Fitch is a product of LIPA and lays out the three-act storyline in perfect pitch and pace while associate director Francesca Goodridge is another graduate.
And as if to spice up the broth one of the main protagonists Algernon Moncrieff is played artfully and with ample zest by James Backway, one more who honed his skills – and talent – at the Paul McCartney "dream school."
Algernon Moncrieff played by James Backway and John Worthing played by Matt Jessup
The costumes are – as they should be – from the period defined by Wilde and the expansive, well lit, set (by Lee Newby) featuring Algy’s London apartment, and a rural drawing room and garden lends an air of resplendent privilege for the eight-strong ensemble to strut their stuff.
And by jove, they do this in a spirited fashion and at a fair lick.
There isn’t a weak link among them; and they all clearly enjoy this rendering as much as the hugely appreciative audience.
The intentionally vacuous exchanges between Backway as Algy and his counterpoint John Worthing played by Matt Jessup, whose alma mater was Bristol Old Vic, is scintillating and frequently hilarious.
Meanwhile Hilary Maclean cuts a fine, and elegant dash in the celebrated role of the haughty Lady Bracknell while the two deliberately "ditsy" girls played in a droll and jocular fashion by Robyn Cara (Cecily) and Emma Denly (the Honourable Gwendolen Fairfax) are perfectly matched as they alternately swish, swoon and bait.
The lesser characters, and this is no slight, are also executed in a manner that Wilde would surely have cheered, with Melanie Walters suitably scatty as Miss Prism – the catalyst in the story – in her pursuit of the seemingly bewildered Reverend Canon Chasuble (Darren Lawrence).
Equally Nick Harris exploits the true pantomime element in twin roles, as a manservant, which induced a chorus of laugh out loud responses from the audience, as did so many of the cleverly choreographed antics, with one young man unleashing loud and hearty guffaws and vigorous thigh-slapping, clearly bowled over by the frolics.
Globe Verdict: Five stars. Simply spiffing.
The Importance Of Being Earnest.
Theatr Clwyd, Mold – Anthony Hopkins Theatre.
Until Saturday, May 27.
Evening 7.30pm - Saturday matinees 2.30pm, Wednesday matinee 17 May 2.30pm; Thursday matinee 25 May 2.30pm.
Box Office: 01352 701 521.
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