Review by Daz Gale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’ve been playing Doctor Who bingo with London theatre this year, you would have had the opportunity to see four actors who have played The Doctor on stage already (with shows starring two still in the West End). However, if it is the current Doctor you are after, National Theatre has you covered with their new star-studded production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Of Being Earnest. Though there is more to this show than simply the celebrity factor – get ready for National Theatre to end the year on an extreme high!
Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy first premiered in London in 1895 and has been revived countless times in the nearly 130 years since with adaptations on TV, Film, and radio. The story is centred on Jack Worthing and his friend Algernon Moncrieff who both discover they have made up false identities to create double lives for themselves. As they both attempt to take on the fictional Earnest, they find their web of lies get tangled as they attempt to woo two eligible ladies.
There is little that can be said about Oscar Wilde’s writing that hasn’t already. Still every bit and wonderfully addictive as joyfully hilarious now as it was when it first premiered (I imagine anyway, I’m not THAT old), his one-liners still tickle the ribs with some riotously funny moments and even some lost lines being restored for this new loud and proud production.
It is in Max Webster’s inspired and faultless direction where The Importance Of Being Earnest truly shines. Using every tool at his disposal, great thought has been given to how best to convey the themes and rinse every ounce of humour out of the dialogue and story as possible. To say this is done successfully would be a severe understatement. This is an Earnest for the 21st Century, still seemingly set in its original time but with modern updates (I’m not sure references to Cyndi Lauper and James Blunt were in the original, though do correct me if I’m wrong). The unique updates and flourishes to the production create something truly magnificent and gay (in both meanings).
It almost feels a bit panto-esque at times, with the natural farce of the story being exaggerated and feeling wholly fitting for the only time of the year when it is acceptable to shout out “He’s behind you” in the theatre (please don’t do this when Javert appears in Les Miserables). The bright pink poster and accompanying programme give you a sense of what you might expect from this production, and its colourful portrayal doesn’t fade once, with elements of Drag book-ending the story, including a wonderfully camp curtain call, and a gloriously loud set design.
Speaking of that design, Rae Smith has come up trumps here with an intricately designed set that has the ability to blow you away every time the curtain rises to reveal its latest transition. Speaking of that curtain, an unusual but inspired prop levitating outside of it before the show even starts may leave you exclaiming “A handbag?”. Beautifully realised in every detail from its proscenium to the opulence of the interiors of both houses to the complete contrast of the exaggeratedly bright garden, it is always visually stunning to witness. Smith has also excelled in her glorious costume design – over-the-top and gorgeously so, the outfits always match the brilliance of the set, leaving you excited to see what each person is going to wear next (particularly in the cases of Algernon and Lady Bracknell).
Webster’s direction uses Smith’s design to further his story breaking the fourth wall with cast members looking directly at the audience and even asking them a question as well as having them comment on the scene changes and even call for the curtain to come down. It is these tongue-in-cheek choices that makes Earnest such a delight to watch. This production of The Importance Of Being Earnest shares its faultless values across all elements with Jon Clark’s fantastic lighting, great use of sound design from Nicola T. Chang and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s movement all blending together to create a world of chaos and farce that, while busy, is always enjoyable.
What elevates The Importance Of Being Earnest to the genius level it becomes is its remarkable cast. Ncuti Gatwa has seen his star rise significantly in the last year or so, taking on one of the most iconic roles in television as he plays The Doctor in Doctor Who. Watching him flourish on stage makes it clear to see why his recent success has been so forthcoming and so very clearly deserved. An undoubted star, Gartwa oozes charisma from the moment he first appears on the stage in a magnificent outfit. With just the right amount of cheek and a stage presence many could only dream of, his portrayal of Algernon Moncrieff is a masterclass in comedy and acting abilities, delivering one of the more memorable portrayals of the year and delighting at every turn.
Matching Gatwa in every element of his genius is Hugh Skinner in a brilliant turn as Jack Worthing. Expertly ramping up the comedy, Skinner delivers an overblown performance that frequently had me howling with his character's ability to go from 0-60 at any given moment. Skinner and Gatwa formed an incredible double act, lighting up the stage together in a way that embodied pure theatre magic and delivering a camaraderie and chemistry that can’t be faked. Indeed, on one moment where Skinner accidentally spat too much, the improvised response between the two created one of the more unexpected but hilarious moments of the play and showcased the fun the pair are clearly having on stage together.
Though she only makes a couple of appearances, Sharon D. Clarke more than leaves an impression in her performance as larger-than-life Lady Bracknell. In a dominating, star turn, Clarke once again demonstrates her God-given talents as an actor, with the most subtle of looks and clipped pronunciations of lines channelling all of the comedy of the character while never losing her power. Though her stage time is comparatively limited, she more than makes a lasting impression, leaving me longing to see more of her expertly portrayed character.
Cecily Cardew makes a relatively late appearance but the skill of Eliza Scanlen quickly endears her to your heart in a bright and joyous portrayal. Amanda Lawrence and Richard Cant get small but mighty roles as Miss Prism and Reverend Canon Chasuble respectively, while anyone playing Doctor Who bingo can get a bonus with Davros himself as Julian Bleach is frequently hilarious in his dual roles of Merriman and Lane.
Though all actors on that stage were splendid throughout, the one standout for me personally belonged to Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo for her phenomenal take on Gwendolen Fairfax. It was the little details in her performance that brought it to a whole new level, such as her extreme reaction to walking on a hilly part of the garden or the dramatic way she responded to setbacks in her own story. Adékoluẹjo thrilled at every opportunity, especially shining in one key scene with Eliza Scanlen’s Cecily, where she came into her own at the sparring dynamic and exaggerated nature of the pair’s speedy relationship. The entire cast of The Importance Of Being Earnest delivers some fine work throughout, but this might be the one performance that stays with me the longest.
If you are looking for some great theatrical joy this festive season, The Importance Of Being Earnest has you covered. Joyfully directed and magnificently acted, this production should be prescribed as an effortless way to make even the biggest Grinch raise a smile. Big, bold, and beautiful, its star cast is matched by every element of its high-quality production value to create one of the strongest shows National Theatre have put on this year. Well and truly striking gold (or, pink, I guess) with this skilfully realised production, if only the joy it brings could be bundled up and placed in a handbag.
The Importance Of Being Earnest plays at the Lyttleton Theatre until 25th January 2025.
It will also be in cinemas on 20th February 2025.
Photos by Marc Brenner