WILDE’S BRILLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 65, 10 December 1930, Page 6

WILDE’S BRILLIANCE

Repertory Theatre Society GLISTENING COMEDY “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a trivial comedy for serious people, by Oscar Wilde. Cast: —■ Lane J- R. Herd Algernon MoncrieffJohn Bown John Worthing, J.P. .. A. D. Priestley Lady Bracknell A. Louise Hall Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax .. Beryl Earle Miss Prism Ethel Oldbury-Jones Cecily Cardew .... Hazel Wells Merriman Ernest Coleridge Dr. Chasuble Barton Ginger Scoring success that was almost sensational last evening with its initial performance of Oscar Wilde’s comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the National Repertory Theatre Society gave the audience what Dr. Chasuble would probably describe —in a parochial moment —as a very special treat. The show was an amazingly good one, and none of Wilde’s extraordinary wit, which is more of a barrage than stray sniping, was without its effect on the audience. It was amused continuously. . .'The comedy is so well-known that few remarks on it remain to be made. They have been exhausted, in fact, by those to whom Wilde refers so charmingly when he mentions university education. But in .spite of this, and especially after last evening’s exhilarating performance, one can observe with safety that “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a perverse study in laughter that perhaps noone could equal at the present time. Almost every lino is a jesting one, twisted to conform with Wilde’s attitude .—curious or otherwise-—to the world around him. Superficially crisp and glistening, but most of the time, it seems, with jokes in involution, Wilde produces laughter with gags transformed, the signposts of his philosophy. In less talented hands the comedy might have been dulled, but it shone out last evening brilliantly. Opinions will differ, but it seemed that the estrangement which occurs in the second act between the Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew was managed by Miss Beryl Earle and Miss Hazel Wells in magnificent style. The whole point and action of the scene was interpreted unmistakably and- with a sureness that would be difficult to equal. Both acted excellently in this, as in the whole of the piece. Miss Wells was extremely attractive and thoroughly in vein, while Miss Earle, whose part was more difficult, gave an astonishingly good performance. To amateurs one likes to give advice —to pick holes —but in the present case it ■is impossible. governess, Miss Ethel Oldbury Jones was entirely Intelligent, and responsible for a good deal of uproarious comedy. With her, as with Barton Ginger, who was responsible for the same sort of thing, again no faults could be found. John Bown and Miss A. Louise Hall were equally good—in fact, it is difficult to convey adequately an idea of the extremely high standard which all these performers reach-

ed. As John Worthing, A. D. Priestley was in a difficult part, and was not quite as successful as the rest, although it was only the comparison which made this apparent. J. R. Herd and Ernest Coleridge filled the two minor parts capably. Special mention must be made finally of the work of the producer, Mr. W. S. Wauchop, whose zeal resulted so admirably last evening. His responsibility is difficult to assess, but must be a fairly substantial one. The three scenes were played in exceptionally good and original settings. It was altogether an outstanding first night.