Review: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Shines A Spotlight On The Absurdity Of Upper Class Victorian Society With Humor And Comic Timing

Wednesday 30th December 2015, 4:30pm, Bella Vista Park Farm, Bella Vista NSW

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is a delightfully comic expression of the ridiculousness of Victorian society where things aren't as simple as they first appear. Staged as part of Sport For Jove's Summer Season 7, Oscar Wilde's light-hearted and seemingly frivolous play, under the direction of Damien Ryan, is perfect for an afternoon or evening picnicking on the lawn at the historic Bella Vista Farm.

Set Co-Designers Anna Gardiner and Damien Ryan have artfully dressed the outdoor stage as a late Victorian/early Edwardian parlour complete with bookshelves of accumulated trinkets and object d'art expected of a wealthy well educated young bachelor. There are allusions to the occupant's excess and idleness in the multitude of empty champagne bottles and scattered soft furnishings. The outer walls, which stay constant for the other Sydney Hills Shakespeare In The Park performances, display a blend of panelled walls and creeping wisteria to facilitate the transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces of stately homes.

Anna Gardiner's costumes further set the era as late 1800's, early 1900's and express that the characters are at the top of society with outfits drawing on the more modern 'Edwardian' lines. Colour and texture has been used to define and characters from the judgmental and severe Lady Bracknell's (Deborah Kennedy) heavy fabric royal blue suit, daughter Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax's (Claire Lovering) light violet lace overlayed gown which is contrasted with the younger, more innocent, Cecily Cardew's (Eloise Winestock) lighter and plainer pink gown. Algernon (Aaron Tsindos) wears sharper suits in more 'modern' colours of a city society dandy whilst John/Jack's (Scott Sheridan) suites, whilst still sharp, are more plain, reflecting the conservatism of the country.

The comedy that serves as a commentary on the ridiculousness of late Victorian English society is well presented with clear well timed dialogue and beautiful physicality. The opening sequence between the hung-over Algernon and his butler, Lane (James Lugton) is perfect in its pace and precision with Lugton's expressively judgmental facial expressions providing a window to how the hired help viewed their idle, spoilt bosses. Tsindos captures the excess and entitlement of the upper classes as he has Lane do everything for him at the tinkle of a bell. Kennedy, as Lady Bracknell also drips with delicious disapproval and distain at the thought of the unconnected "Earnest" (John Worthing's alter ego) courting her daughter. Winestock, as the young Cecily presents as a spoilt brat of a young woman with an overactive imagination reflective of her immaturity.

The work challenges the concepts of the importance of advantageous marriages and pedigree over true love. It exposes the lack of responsibility borne by the aristocracy as both Algernon and John/Jack assume false identities to escape obligations but eventually get caught in their lies. It also shows the shallowness as the objects of the "Earnest's" affection both place more stock in the name rather than the character of the man who bears it as Cecily and Gwendolen balk at the idea of being paired with men called Algernon and John rather than being affronted at the deception.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is a wonderfully presented comedy that entertains whilst subtly providing a caricature of the society. Whilst written in the late 19th Century, parallels can be drawn to modern society in the laziness of youth and falseness of a society obsessed with creating images to present to the outside world, living dual lives from reality and what is presented via social media.

Whilst the Bella Vista Farm Park Season has ended, Sport for Jove will present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST as part of The Leura Shakespeare Festival in January 2016.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

The Leura Shakespeare Festival

Everglades Garden Theatre

January 10th @7.30pm, 16th @3.30pm, 17th @7.30pm, 22nd @7.30pm , 23rd @7.30, 24th @3.30pm.

Photos: Marnya Rothe

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