The Importance of Being Earnest
Moser Theatre, 21st-25th May
The Oscar Wilde Society
Directed by Josefa Henry-Bochan

I always have a slight fear of student productions of Wilde plays. An amateur approach is always shown up by the finely tuned words. Just as well then that The Oscar Wilde Society appear to approach their namesake with such professionalism in their production of this “trivial play for serious people”.
A slight edginess in the first act could, it would seem, be put down to first night nerves - certainly the cast were much smoother after the interval. Hannah Stoddart as Lady Bracknell had an impressive command of the stage and Timothy Hancock’s dead-pan butlers (Lane and Merriman) would give Stephen Fry a run for his money. However, it was Richard Power, playing Algernon Moncrieff who took the night, aristocratic absurdities appearing to come perfectly naturally to him.
A slightly faster pace might have benefited the performance; pauses can be tedious as well as dramatic. However, the director’s attention to detail was evident in scenes such as the entry of Lady Bracknell to Jack’s country abode. “Sit down,” she commands, and the perfect unison of the obedience is beautifully controlled. Likewise the contemporary touch in Jack’s politics, “I’m afraid I really have none. I voted New Labour.” “Oh, they count as Tories,” went down well with the audience. While you most certainly wouldn’t want too many script alterations, the idea could have been used again to good effect.
All in all this was a polished performance of a fantastic play and a most enjoyable evening out.

C. Robertson