As I sat in a beautiful space, having taken my place ‘in the round’, easing into the latest production to grace the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, I was privy to an unexpected and potentially earth-shattering statement.
Reader, it threatened to swipe the metaphorical rug from beneath my very feet as I heard the line ring out. It made me question the validity of my own judgement, my life choices, my very being.
…I pity any woman who is married to a man called John.
Gwendolen, The Importance of Being Ernest
Well oh dear me. Not to invade my plus 1’s (in theatre visits and, indeed, life) privacy, but let’s call him John. Because he’s called John. And I am a woman married to him. I am married to a man called John.
But I pride myself on not taking a knee-jerk reaction to life’s events. Actually that’s exactly what I do, but on this occasion I decided to put a pin in what this could all mean, and sit still and enjoy the rest of the performance. Next to my husband John. For to flee and immediately file for divorce would be absurd. A mere farce. And so we turn to Oscar Wilde’s deliciously absurd and ultimate farce…
For Jack and Algernon, being young and rich isn’t easy. In fact, being swathed in luxury is, well…depressing. Tired of the never-ending soirees and penthouse shindigs, they escape their anxious existence (and Lady Bracknell) in the pursuit of love, real love, like, proper adult, IRL love, all under the guise of the ever-enigmatic Ernest.
But love isn’t as easy as it seems. After all, Cecily and Gwendolen have standards, not to mention a peculiar passion for the name of Ernest…
Directed by Josh Roche, The Importance of Being Earnest has landed in Manchester in its latest reincarnation and stars Robin Morrissey as Ernest/Jack/John, Phoebe Price as Gwendolen, James Quinn as Lane/Merriman, Rumi Sutton as Cecily, Parth Thakerar as Algernon, Ian Bartholomew as Chasuble, Abigail Cruttenden as Lady Bracknell and Emma Cunniffe as Miss Prism.
It will come as no surprise to those acquainted with the work of the late, great Mr Wilde, that the play and dialogue is deliciously devilish.
And delivered delightfully by every single actor on stage, making it feel positively timeless. With lean-.ins to modern life and indeed Manchester (nice early tribute to Joy Division’), in costume, settings, props, music and dialogue, the traditional text and the contemporary injections, make for happy bedfellows and never felt anything other than organic rather than forced.
And don’t worry, no classic lines such as ‘a handbag’ were harmed or tampered with during the performing of this classic.
Every cast member made the part feel like it was written for them, and from the get-go, the comedy timing in both lines delivered and physical movement, had the audience laughing with rarely a moment’s silence.
Special mention here to the brilliant James Quinn – always a joy to see included in any cast list or credits- like a seal of approval. His entrances in the second half, carrying increasingly bigger and more extreme pieces of gardening equipment filled me with utmost joy.
At this juncture, I’ll just take the opportunity pop a picture here of the centre piece of the set, and let the visuals do the talking.
Whether a seasoned supporter of Oscar Wilde’s work, or stranger to its charms, this frankly hilarious rendition I feel, will delight theatre-goers across the board. It breathes new life into proceedings but never in any way to distract or dilute from what makes it special.
Whether you’re an Ernest or a, god forbid, John, an Algernon or a Bunbury, beg, borrow or steal (actually maybe just buy online in the traditional sense) tickets to see some very bored, very silly, very upper class people tie themselves in knots over life, love and the age old question of what exactly is in a name…
(I’ve decided to stay married to John).
For tickets, further details and the full list of cast and creatives, head to https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event/the-importance-of-being-earnest/.
The Importance of Being Earnest is on at the Royal Exhange theatre until 20 July 2024.
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