The Importance Of Being Earnest

HAVING made the decision to perform Oscar Wilde’s delightful ‘improbable comedy’ in the open air, members of Wimborne Drama must have spent the last few weeks praying that the weather would be kind. It certainly was on opening night, and if it felt a tad chilly when the sun went down – well, isn’t being swathed in blankets the latest look? I should add that I’m referring to the audience at this point, not the actors, all of whom looked as elegant as one would expect.

I love this gloriously witty play so I would almost certainly have enjoyed myself anyway, but the combination of the weather, the beautiful Deans Court setting and the gorgeous Palm Court orchestra type music that was played over the speakers as we tucked into our pre-show picnics, not to mention a first-rate production, made for what I can only describe as a perfect evening.

That perfection began very early on, with an extremely efficient front-of-house team checking tickets and directing everyone into the parking area, and it ended as we left, with flaming torches lighting our way out of the grounds. Those small details may seem trivial, but they can, and did, make a huge difference. Full marks too for an excellent, beautifully designed programme – I loved the cover, showing a gloved hand proffering a cucumber sandwich, with crusts removed of course.

The black and white set was striking, and its transition from London flat to country garden well deserved the round of applause it received, while costumes were also glorious.

Director Paul Dodman chose his cast well, and was rewarded with excellent performances. Rob Cording and Mark Everitt sparked beautifully off each other as Algernon Moncrieff and John Worthing, both of whom totally commanded the stage. There were delightful performances too from Tracey Nicholls (Gwendolen Fairfax) and Jenn Singleton (Cecily Cardew), and Val Mantle’s Lady Bracknell was wonderfully imperious.

Michael Smith’s Canon Chasuble was a splendid, vibrant character, Jan Stevenson was a lovely Miss Prism and Paul Hewitt and David Pile made the most of their small roles as manservant Lane and butler Merriman. I must also mention the costumed servants - Jackson Ellen, Judy Garrett, Carolyn Hewitt, Verena Smith and Steve Symonds – who made such a splendid job of scene changing.

The opening night was a gala performance in aid of Julia’s House, and during the interval a cheque for £1000 was presented to the charity – a splendid achievement.

I would recommend that you rush to book tickets for this top-notch production, which runs until Saturday, but I’m afraid you’re too late as it is completely sold out.