The Importance of Being Earnest
At The Stanley until April 15
Tickets: 604-687-1644
artsclub.com
One of the challenges of mounting a play that has been aroundand aroundsince 1895 is finding a fresh way of presenting it. Director David Mackay, with his recently acquired MFA in directing, takes Oscar Wildes character Gwendolen at her word: In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.
While not for a moment doubting Mackays sincerityto say nothing of his cheekinessthis Arts Club production, beginning with Amir Ofeks art deco-inspired Act 1 set swagged in white silk, takes the play to new, broader heights.
With a snap of the fingers, characters throw everyone except themselves into shadow; with other cues the acting suddenly becomes melodramatic with exaggerated sighs and gestures. Freezes and musical cues make it look and sound like film noir. It opens with a vaudeville act.
But its Wildes razor-sharp wit that has made this play a favourite for all these years and Mackays cast of eight maneuvers its way through the crackling one-linersmany of which poke fun at marriage and lineagewith aplomb.
Charlie Gallant (Algernon) and Ryan Beil (Jack/Ernest) are excellently paired: one mischievous and flippant, the other sober and serious. Beils deadpan expression and double takes never fail to get laughs. Gwendolen (Amber Lewis) and Cecily (Ella Simon)wearing Nancy Bryants sumptuous gownsexchange verbal insults that come within a hair of hair-pulling. Allan Zinyk makes a handsome, commanding Lady Bracknell while Deborah Williams (Miss Prism) and Simon Bradbury (Reverend Chausible) are a couple of highly sexed oldsters: she, all flirty and flustered; he, mopping his brow and fanning his behind. Allan Gray pushes the dual roles of butlers Lane and Merriman as far theyll goand then further.
Mackay goes for the gusto with this one, but Im betting itll be a crowd-pleaser for the Arts Club.
