THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. To 28 May.
Bristol
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
by Oscar Wilde
Bristol Old Vic To 28 May 2005
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2pm
Audio-described 28 May 2pm
BSL Signed 21 May 2pm
Runs 2hr 40mins One interval
TICKETS: 0117 987 7877
www.bristol-old-vic.xo.uk
Review: Stewart McGill 6 May
Triumpnant revelation in all male casting.Bristol Old Vic complete the season with a triumph in David Fielding's realisation of Oscar Wilde's most popular title. From start to finish the evening is a hilarious and outrageous refashioning of what has become a solid repertoire piece often staged simply to fill a house.
Here Fielding delivers his sub-textual treatment of Importance as a gay celebration full of codes and messages to delight his audience and restore ownership of the work from the heterosexuals who conspired to bring Wilde down both as a writer and an individual. I didn't realise all this was in the play and confess that the thought of seeing yet another production did not fill me with too much anticipation.
Fielding has brought to Bristol a terrific company of male actors and the show is brimful of extreme moments, Michael Fitzgerald's Lady Bracknell is monumental and, yes, the delivery of a handbag' raises the roof of this fabulous old theatre.
Joseph Chance as Cecily glides across the stage, he's so beautiful whispered the women sitting behind me and the cast captivated the first night audience who could have stayed all night in the company of men!
Simon Trinder builds on his success in the RSC'S Spanish season last year as a saucy Gwendolen and I was aching with laughter at Daniel Hill's Miss Prism eager to be released from her oppression and systems of punishment.
A magnificent ensemble playing wit and style in a production that is ravishing on the eye, Fielding's own designs (note the handbag motif!) get a round of applause and Stevie Stewart's extraordinary costumes are beautifully over the top.
It is a brave show for a regional theatre and Simon Reade at Bristol Old Vic shows his absolute vision as Artistic Director in showcasing such a daring re-imagining of a play we thought we knew. Gay codes, hidden messages, a subtext to delight Oscar's friends I don't know and I really don't care, because the show works for everyone as joyous entertainment justifying the claim that regional theatre is now very strong in the UK. Let's hope our re-elected government realise that this is a precious situation and will need confident and supportive funding to enable adventures to continue.
Cecily: Joseph Chance
Lady Bracknell: Michael Fitzgerald
Algernon: James Frost
Lane/Meriman: Robert Goodale
Miss Prism: Daniel Hill
Rev. Chasuble: Phil Nice
Jack: Christopher Staines
Gwendolen: Simon Trinder.
Director/Designer: David Fielding
Lighting: Adam Silverman
Sound: Jason Barnes
Musical Director: Gary Yershon
Costume: Stevie Stewart
2005-05-10 08:12:26