Worthing’s audience was able to join one at the Vaudeville Theatre, London during a live performance of Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece.

Adrian Noble’s production enhanced this comedy of manners with a refreshing edge. Although dressed in period it had a modern feel to it allowing farcical elements to be let loose with hilarious effect. Never have I witnessed a production before that elicited such great guffaws.

The acting throughout was superb. Michael Benz and Philip Cumbus, playing the suitors, made perfect foils whilst Emily Barber and Imogen Doel, as their sweethearts, were a hoot.

Michele Dotrice’s Miss Prism was character acting at its best as she twittered and flirted with Richard O’Callaghan’s more than game Canon Chasuble.

Productions of this play are often judged by the portrayal of Lady Bracknell. In this case the baton was taken up by David Suchet, not the first man to don drag for the part.

A male playing the iconic part could have been disastrous but Suchet totally convinced. Playing it straight, without any campiness, he was gloriously funny. The dragon was there all right but so was a softer side.

The “handbag” line was delivered, not with the usual outrage, but with suppressed giggles.

Five stars