Come and laugh – for the 1st time or the umpteenth – at Wilde’s dazzling wit, eat the cucumber sandwiches especially prepared for Lady Bracknell and – yes – be shocked to hear of a baby found in a handbag.
Undisputedly one of the finest comedic plays in the history of theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde at his most witty, brilliantly inventive and socially observant. The remarkable wordplay is timeless and is perfectly delivered in this stunning production by London’s Rose Theatre Kingston under the artistic directorship of Stephen Unwin. Utterly hilarious, this is an unmissable opportunity to see a great British masterpiece come to life on stage.
This was the announcement for the performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at Hong Kong Arts Festival. Should I explain why I did not miss the opportunity? Not for the world! And I laughed out loud (for the umpteenth time in my case) at the outstanding play of delicious style together with the packed hall of Lyric Theatre, HK Academy for Performing Arts.
I was not shocked to hear of a baby found in a handbag, as I know the play practically by heart. But I did feel a shock! Emotional shock, because all the performances I had seen before sounded somewhat heavy and ponderous, and here, for the 1st time, Wilde’s brilliant dialogue was delivered with exactly the right lightness of touch it was created! And the way the audience reacted to Wilde’s dialogue was a real culture shock. They were thrilled, they were enchanted, they were in raptures, responding to each word the way I would love my students to respond. The young Chinese couple sitting next to me was rolling with laughter!
Wilde said his play “must go like a pistol shot”. Does it? Can we make it go like a pistol shot with our new generation? What can be done?
PS. Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest was premiered on Valentine’s Day, 1895.
I send my Love to those who love Oscar Wilde and other great authors.
And to all who love and read books!
