I confess I was puzzled when I read Oscar Wilde’s drawing room comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. At first it seemed be little more than a series of quips connected by facetious plot. More than half the dialogue (I’m guessing) is comprised of clever observations, that amusing as they are, do little to advance the narrative. When experiencing Wilde’s text on the page you begin to feel like he can’t resist the desire to be glib for more than a few minutes. Like watching a stand-up comic whose compulsive need to be liked makes their performance a bit exhausting. I suppose it is one of the ironies of playwriting that what might appear hilarious on the page may fizzle in practice, and what seems self-indulgent and specious in your head often results in a superb, effervescent and giddy evening of merriment.
Friends Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing (Andrew Milbourn) have both created imaginary consorts. Algy’s friend Bunberry is always ill, and provides him with a ready excuse whenever he needs to ditch a boring social obligation. Jack has created a wicked brother named Earnest, who provides the perfect excuse for him to visit Gwendolen (Lisa Schreiner) Algy’s cousin, and the love of Jack’s life. Unfortunately, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen’s mother, has strong reservations regarding Jack’s suitability as a future son-in-law, as his background is somewhat dubious. To add to the complications, Algy is enamored of Jack’s ward, Cecily. Knowing what a complete reprobate Algy is, Jack refuses to let him come anywhere near her.
Wilde mocks the arrogance and cynicism of British aristocracy. That and some of humanity’s most cherished illusions. Even when characters make withering observations about culture and society (which do contain elements of truth) they are also being mocked. Often exchanges serve multiple purposes, exposing the characters’ obsession with the status quo, encouraging us to laugh at the pointlessness of their pursuits and diversions. Long before shows like Arthur and Seinfeld brandished caste satire and narrative absurdity, Wilde was showing them up. Who else but Wilde could explore the rich comedic possibilities of tea between two ladies : Cecily insults Gwendolen by serving her cake when “all the best houses are serving bread and butter”? What kind of people take these details seriously enough to feel slighted? Perhaps one of the reasons The Importance of Being Earnest works so splendidly is Wilde’s knack for accurately depicting the privileged class while making them look so ridiculous.
Director Susan Sargeant has once again brought her incisive, meticulous, subtle touch to the material, guiding the cast in their sly, relaxed, yet avid, delivery and flawless timing.
It must take a lot to manage some of these lines with just enough disingenuousness to make them connect. When we hear Jessica Renee Russell (Cecily) mooning over Earnest because she has fanciful notions about the allure of the scoundrel, we giggle, but we also know just what she means. C. Ryan Glenn as Algernon, is delightfully duplicitous. Algy’s very articulate and pointed, explaining how the actual practice of matrimony robs love of intensity. He understands it’s not really about spending time with people you like so much as avoiding those you find tiresome without being impolite. We appreciate the foibles of Wilde’s even though we see through them, because we also empathize. Wilde has learned how to temper his cynicism in the cheerful guise of clever, world-weary jabs. It’s why adults prefer vodka and tonic to fruit punch.
Nancy Sherrard, as Lady Bracknell is the glistening engine that keeps this locomotive on track. Dear God, who else would have the panache to wear Barbara C. Cox’s magnificent, resplendent dresses with such aplomb? The role of Lady Bracknell, with so many lines, and about 95 % attitude, would be daunting to the most seasoned of actors, but Sherrard prevails with exuberance and sophistication, imbuing rejoinders with such poise and snap that laughter nearly becomes a reflex. Sherrard is vastly skilled, whether we’re enjoying her in Doubt, A Lie of the Mind, or Blue Moon Dancing. I daresay Wilde would be thrilled to see her work here. If you need to chase off any lingering blues, rest assured an evening spent with Ms. Sherrard and the rest of this superlative cast will do the trick.
Wingspan Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, playing October 6th-22nd, 2011. The Bath House Cultural Center, 521 East Lawther Drive, Dallas, Texas 75218. 214-675-6573. www.wingspantheatre.com
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