The Importance of Being Earnest at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

The Importance of
Being Earnest
Milton Keynes Theatre

15-19 September 2015

www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Reviewed by Rachael Osborne

Rosalind Ayres, Nigel Havers, Martin Jarvis, Christine Kavanagh and Siân Phillips will be reprising their West End performances, and are joined by Nigel Anthony, Carmen du Sautoy and David Shaw-Parker, performing as The Bunbury Company of Players. The Importance of Being Earnest is known to elegantly lampoon the hypocrisies of a Victorian society and opens as two bachelors, the dependable John Worthing, J.P. and upper class playboy Algernon Moncrieff, feel compelled to create different identities in order to pursue two eligible ladies Cecily Cardew and Gwendolyn Fairfax. The hilarious misadventures which result from their  subterfuge; their brushes with the redoubtable Lady Bracknell and the uptight Miss Prism result in a plot that twists and fizzles with some of the finest dialogue to be found in theatre.

I was very excited to see this as I have always loved this play. We went to the Milton Keynes Theatre in Milton Keynes. There was ample pay and display parking nearby, and after 6pm parking where we were (next to John Lewis) was free. The theatre was clean, welcoming and had a wonderful ambience with a pianist playing the grand piano. We were met at the door and warmly welcomed by the staff. All the staff that we interacted with were very helpful and polite. The toilets were lovely and clean and easy to find.

This version of the play revolved around a company called the Bunbury Players and begins with their final rehearsal of the Importance of Being Earnest at Lavinia and George’s home. The set was stunning and perfectly suited the play. They cast members moved the set around as required in a seamless way. I loved the fact that we were watching a final rehearsal of the Bunbury Players, as this added even more humour to it! The cucumber sandwiches bit was brilliant, as were Dicky’s, who was playing Algernon Moncrieff, (Nigel Haver’s) red trainers. As soon as Dicky walked on your eyes were drawn immediately to his shoes and when Wendy, who was playing Miss Prism, (Rosalind Ayers) passed his shoes under the chair his facial expression was brilliant! The way the play slipped seamlessly from the original to the Bunbury Players was fabulous. Another hilarious moment was when they were talking about who Dicky had had affairs with during previous performances of the Importance, and various females ran off.

From the original play I love the initial interaction between Cecily Cardew (Christine Kavanagh) and Gwendolen Fairfax (Carmen Du Sautoy). This scene was perfectly played, especially the sugar in the tea part. I also loved it when John Worthing (Martin Jarvis) came down in funeral attire distraught at the death of his imaginary younger brother Earnest and unknown to him Algernon has already arrived pretending to be Earnest. My favourite part still has to be Lady Bracknell’s (Siân Phillips) “A handbag?”.

A handbag?

The performances were outstanding with all cast members perfectly cast. The play was fabulous from start to finish and I would highly recommend you go and see it!

Rating: 5/5 

Tickets cost from £11.90 to £40.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

The Importance of Being Earnest is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 19 September 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8717652.

Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ