Importance of Being Earnest 2013 @ Darlington Civic

A wonderfully witty and erudite play from the master of clever words

Set over 3 acts, The Importance of Being Earnest avoids delving into serious social and political issues and instead focuses on the light hearted shenanigans of two London based gents who enjoy living double lives, free to create alter-personas through which they can enact their fantasies safe in the knowledge that they can, at any time, 'kill off' their doppelgangers and revert back to their true characters.  The story however has twists aplenty, coupled with the juxtaposition of both leads wanting to assume an 'Earnest' character to capture the affections of their betrothed but realising that neither is very earnest at all.

We are introduced to John Worthing, who takes the name Earnest for his alter-ego, and learn that he is an abandoned orphan, left in a hand bag in Victoria station.  It is perhaps because of this that he enjoys the anonymity derived from having a London city character and a Hertfordshire country role and 'ne'er the twain shall meet' - that is until he becomes besotted by Gwenoldine and has to wrestle with her affections for 'Earnest' and his desire to tell her the truth.

Enter Algernon, John's best friend, who too enjoys a certain degree of freedom with his personalities.  He learns that John has a pretty ward, Cecily, ensconced in his country house and decides that he must go visit her.  Cecily believes that John is her Uncle Jack and that 'Earnest' is indeed Jacks brother - this is the rouse which John uses to effect his weekend trips to London however for Algernon to pull off his deception he too must become Earnest - confused ?  don't be, all is quite simple as it unfolds.

The play itself leans close to farce at times but always manages, through very clever words and cutting observations, to wrest away from total slapstick and retain the parlance of typical Wildean satire.

As always, The Middle Ground Theatre Company provide stunning set design and a brilliant cast.  While Corrine Wicks and Tom Butcher take lead billing, the whole ensemble deliver masterful portrayals of their characters, firmly held in their social pigeon holes but quite recognisable in today's society.   Lest we not forget it was they who brought us The Holly & The Ivy and On Golden Pond and if you were fortunate to see either or both of those productions then you will certainly enjoy their latest.