SPARKLING COMEDY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1014, 3 July 1930, Page 16

SPARKLING COMEDY

LITTLE THEATRE SUCCESS PRODUCTION PLEASES “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a comedy in three acts, by Oscar Wilde. Presented at the concert chamber last evening by the Little Theatre Society; producer, Air. Kenneth Brampton. CAST: Algernon Moncrleff - - - - Roberts Tele Lane ------ 11. AlcKail Geddes John Worthing ------ Lees Bullot Lady Bracknell - - - Susan McCallurn Gwendolen Fairfax - - - - Joan Hudson Cecily Cardew - - - - Biddy Philcox Miss Prism ------- Nell Lush Canon Chasuble ------ Zante Wood Merriman -------- G. F. Moody Last evening one thought of the audience which, 35 years ago, arrived in hansom cabs at St. James Theatre, London, to witness the first performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest." Oscar Wilde was then the most discussed person in town. He had startled fashionable London with his eccentric cult, he had taken the air in quaint and exaggerated clothes, coined epigrams at the expense of society hostesses, and turned the conventions of the day into satire, as he himself was to bo satirised afterward. But London audiences laughed at his comedies and enjoyed them, and their healthy amusement. Even the period of 35 years has not lessened that capacity to amuse. “A trivial comedy for serious people” Wilde called his comedy. It is trivial, flippant, superficial, it does not mean anything in the history of the drama except perhaps as a stepping-stone, but it is amusing, and the less sophisticated today laugh at its situations and epigrams as the more sophisticated did 35 years ago. Wilde’s comedies should be played with sparkling zest. They were never meant to be taken seriously— except as entertainment. If people in everyday life uttered the epigrams which are so liberally sprinkled through ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,” one shudders to think what the daily round would be like. The limelight is their rightful territory. There they can be tossed about as resklessly as the author plases and, as far as Wilde is concerned, he was pleased to do with unfailing regularity. Last evening one or two of the cast might have been a little more conscious of those epigrams—even a college professor would have been pleased had he uttered them. SAVED FROM COMMONPLACE “The Importance of Being Earnest,” would be even more amusing if dressed in the period, though the spirit of farce is still there The last act, it is true, is improbable and almost impossible. Viewed through 1930 spectacles only Wilde’s ingenuity saves it from descending to the commonplace. There is no need to tell the story of John and Algernon, Bunbury, the foundling left in a handbag at a railway station by the romantic Miss Prism, the cynical Lady Bracknell and the epigrammatic butler. It is all very amusing if kept to the right key and the players last evening maintained that required level. Although Wilde himself remarked that, comparisons were odious, it is interesting to compare this social satire with the work of authors of today. For that reason the Little Theatre is to be congratulated on producing Wilde’s comedy. Mr. Tole's performance was an excellent piece of work. lie has the necessary lightness of touch and is quick to respond to the delicacy of a situation, however superficial it might be. An easy manner and a slightly hesitant speech enables him to plav his part as all Wilde should be played. Though his methods of expression are different. Mr. Bullot gave an equally good performance. lie is at times very diverting and always sincere in his work. EASE AND ASSURANCE Miss Philcox, looking most attractive, played with ease and assurance. Miss Hudson was a little too forced at times, but gave an able performance. She and Miss Philcox admirably contested their battle of bitterness over the teacups. One of the best sustained characters was that of Miss Prism, played by Miss Lush. She never misses a point or lets a situation down. Mrs. McCallum’s incisive methods were hardly suited to her part. It required more subtlety and only occasionally the humour of the lines shone through the acting. Mr. Wood made the most of the comedy vicar. Mr. Geddes and Mr. Moody gave two pictures of two butlers. Delightful incidental music was played by Eve Miller, Edna Bos worth and Xorma Tarry. “The Importance of Being Ernest,” will be presented until Saturday evening.