A new conceit allows farcical elements a la Noises Off to invade this comedy of manners. To the purists this blend will appal but for me it worked. Having sat through many other productions this one made a refreshing change.
A clever prologue, written by Simon Brett, allows the now mature Nigel Havers and Martin Jarvis return to roles they played at the National Theatre in 1982.
In this play within a play they are members of The Bunbury Company of Players with the audience witnessing the dress rehearsal of their production of Wilde’s classic play.
A first rate cast squeezes every ounce of comedy from both Wilde’s witticism and from the additional business provided by Brett.
Sian Phillips’s Lady Bracknell is a veritable gorgon, yet capable of descending into skittishness in the final scene - a fine comic performance with pitch perfect projection.
Havers and Jarvis relish this opportunity to recreate their roles whilst sending themselves up. Excellent performances from both but with a small criticism of Havers – his delivery was a little too fast initially.
Christine Kavanagh and Cherie Lunghi delightfully play the objects of their affections, especially in their verbal ping-pong exchanges.
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