NODA Review of The Importance of Being Earnest 2016
Over the past years several productions of The Importance of Being
Earnest have been produced in various guises, and with different stars playing the lead
roles - I have seen a few! So when I got the call from RaTS I thought 'oh no!
not another Earnest'.
I need not have worried, this Earnest was fresh and directed superbly by Claire Feekings; a
début in directing for her I believe. If this is correct she has got a flair for it.
It was directed with lots of movement and Claire got her actors to bring out their characters.
Lane (Curtis Armitage) played with a tongue in cheek and sarcasm, difficult with so little dialogue.
Algernon Moncrieff (Josh Webb) a great part for a young guy, he played Algernon with flare.
Coupled with Andy Anderson as John/Jack Worthing; who is a very expressive and a natural actor, he
uses his eyes and stance. His uptake on dialogue were superb!!
Lady Bracknell, (Grant Flanagan) does not so much enter a room as occupy it totally. He is
a master of the frozen stares of disdain and is just what this part requires. Grant's
interpretation of Bracknell was exceptional and his facial nuances were spot on.
Faye Wyatt and Lauren Feekings are utterly exquisite and inventively adorable as Miss
Fairfax and Miss Cardew. I have never seen better performances of these two parts.
Kathy West on the other hand gave us a great appropriate character to uncover Jack's true
history, because she also is not what she seems. Teamed with the Reverend Chasuble (Andrew
Manktelow) gave us some nice comedy moments as did Jan Wyatt as Merriman.
The set must get a mention, designed expertly by Kathy West,...Fabulous well
done to you all, it worked, solid, and workable, a joy to see.
Claire Feekings your debut to directing was, and is successful, carry on.
Gordon Harris,
NODA SE District 5.