Centuries after its debut, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest still manages to make audiences cry with laughter. With the use of reversal, Wilde captures the essence of nineteenth century aristocracy. Jack Worthing, a notable man in London society, creates a made-up brother, Earnest, in order to escape to the countryside to take care of his ward, Cecily Cardew. But when his friend Algernon Moncrieff finds out about his double life and, most importantly, his beautiful 18 year old ward, he decides to pose as Earnest himself. By doing so, Algernon puts Jack’s relationship with the love of his life, Gwendolen Fairfax, on the line, and much mischief and drama ensues.
The Hart House production was skillfully produced, with director Cory Doran adding hilarious physical comedy to the play, highlighting each character’s unique personality. Even during the scene changes, the butlers, Lee-Orr Orbach and Daniel Staseff respectively, did a wonderful job at making the transitions a joy to watch.
Hannah Drew, who portrayed Gwendolen, and Eliza Martin as Cecily channelled their inner aristocratic women, accurately portraying the self-absorbed yet lovestruck nineteenth-century characters. Michael Hogan and Victor Pokinko, Jack and Algernon respectively, both making their debut at Hart House Theatre, had great chemistry together on stage. Multiple times they each induced laughter by employing a single facial expression. Andrei Preda and Bailey Green, who played Reverand Canon Chasuble and Miss Prism, pulled off a hilarious side romance. Nicole Wilson’s Lady Bracknell stole the show every time she stepped on the stage with every line delivered better than the last. The set and costumes added to the overall performance nicely.
The only negative aspect of the play was the position of the portrait on the stage, sometimes hindering the view of the audience depending on where you happened to sit.
Charming and witty, hilarious and enjoyable, the cast kept the audience entertained, never breaking character even as they walked off the stage. The Importance of Being Earnest is a winning comedy, fit for audiences of every time period.
