Written by by Oscar Wilde, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by Sue Walker
Cast:
Lane - Mike Overy
Algernon Moncrief - John Gregory
John Worthing - Mike Clapham
Lady Bracknell - Ann Penn
Gwendolen Fairfax - Lyn Evans
Miss Prism - Dianne Nicholls
Cecily Cardew - Sara Cook
Rev. Cannon Chasuble - Max Chitty
Merriman - Richard Clapham
Maid - Kerry Hover
The most notorious handbag in English drama landed with a triumphant thud on the stage at Medstead when the Players presented their version of "The Importance of Being Earnest.''
This elegant Victorian comedy has been performed so many times on stage and screen that it is difficult to avoid comparisons with previous productions, but the Players have every reason to be proud of their own interpretation.
The ambitious stagecraft by Dick Smith offered three separate sets, which were well designed and erected with silent efficiency, and the lighting and sound, by the three joint exponents were very effective.
This was Sue Walker's first experience as director, and although she was most successful with the principal characters, she was rather weak on the minor ones. Mike Overy lacked the dignity with which the well bred, aristocratic butler should carry himself, and neither Richard Clapham, nor Kerry Hover paid sufficient attention to their deportment, and a menial should never, never laugh when mishaps occur.
Nevertheless, it is encouraging to have younger performers taking part and they will gain confidence and profit by experience. John Gregory was magnificent as the bounder, Algernon, posturing and satirising with all the flamboyance of the Victorian play boy. He had a wordy part but epigrams and witticisms flowed swiftly and clearly with rapier sharpness.
Mike Clapham was equally well primed with his words and, despite the lengthy conversations, the lady prompter was almost superfluous. It was unfortunate that the presentation was wrong and his appearance failed to create the impression of the casually dressed Victorian man about town. His clothes were 1983, and his sheep dog hair style was quite incongruous.
It was the performances of the three principal female characters that set the seal of excellence on this production. Ann Penn, sweeping everything before her in her imperious progress through the farcical plot, made no attempt to ape the mannerisms of the late Dame Edith Evans, but created her own character with devastating effect.
Her daughter, played by Lyn Evans, was also splendid in her haughtiness, with eyes and gestures that were as telling as her words. That John Worthing should wish to engage in matrimony with anyone connected with that family, shows valour to the highest degree.
By contrast, the delightful little Cecily, Sara Cook, with all the naivety and charm of the innocent young debutante was equally compelling in her pursuit of the double-dealing Algernon.
Max Chitty, as Canon Chasuble, and Dianne Nicholls, as Miss Prism, both played their parts with great confidence, though it was a pity that the latter was handicapped by weak facial make-up.
This Oscar Wilde masterpiece was a new venture by the Players and a great change from their usual run of 'whodunnits' and domestic comedies, and it was a fine display of their versatility.
A team that is prepared to experiment is bound to succeed, and Medstead can look forward with confidence to future productions by these ambitious players. [NHC]
Algernon Moncrief (John Gregory), Cecily Cardew (Sara Cook)
Mike Overy, Dianne Nicholls, Ann Penn, Mike Clapham, Lyn Evans, Sara Cook, John Gregory, Kerry Hover