The Importance of Being Earnest Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday, September 27

FROM the moment Nigel Havers, aka actor Richard Oldfield, entered the stage in period costume (save for some fiery red Nike trainers) with a sound technician in tow, it became obvious this production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest would deviate from the traditional plot.

This was confirmed just a few minutes later as an argument ensued between the thespian and a prop artist over an empty plate of cucumber sandwiches.

If members of the audience expected a conventional word for word performance of the politically incorrect play, they were to be sorely disappointed.

In this eccentric adaptation, we found ourselves in the living room of actors Lavinia Spellman and her husband, who are hosting the final dress rehearsal of the Bunbury Company of Players’ production of The Importance. Far from a smooth run-through, the costumes and props aren’t ready – hence Richard’s glaringly out-of-place trainers for the role of Wilde’s young libertine Algernon Moncrieff.

Gradually the actors settle down, however, and the rehearsal gets underway.

At last the story of Jack Worthing, who has been moonlighting as his imaginary brother Ernest, and his friend Algernon, who has dabbled in the same identity fabrication games, unfolds. Incongruities in the production abound, not least the actors’ advanced age. But the fact that the troupe are all in their 60s and playing young paramours in their early 20s does not appear to trouble them in the slightest.

In Oscar Wilde’s original plot, the pair become enamoured with one another’s female relatives, and confusion ensues, complete with the dubious story of a baby abandoned in handbag at Victoria Station.

The play as a whole is a tour de force, which in true Oscar Wilde spirit does away with tradition, social and literary conventions and endlessly mocks its characters.

Nigel Havers and Martin Jarvis lead the performances with aplomb, forming the perfect comedic duo. Sian Phillips is also tremendous in both her roles, as the accommodating actress and hostess Lavinia Spellman and Lady Bracknell, the embodiment of a society where appearances, ignorance and prejudice reign supreme.

This is social comedy with a twist... at its best. - MARION SAUVEBOIS