“I hope you have
not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the
time. That would be hypocrisy.”
“The Importance of
Being Earnest” is currently in a stylish production at the Old Globe Theatre in
Balboa Park through March 4th. It's Wilde’s most popular commentary on Victorian attitudes, morals and manners. It's hypocracy personified. More fun than a barrel of monkeys, Wilde’s wordplay
comedy hits directly at the absurdity of 19th century upper class ethics.
His comic adventure
begins when Ernest (Matt Schwader) returns from
the country to see his love interest Gwendolen Fairfax (Kate Abbruzzese). Jack, in fact is leading a double life. He’s Jack in the country and Ernest (his so called brother) in the city
Jack knows The Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax will
be visiting his friend Algernon at his home. Once together, he proposes
marriage and Gwendolen accepts. After some discussion she divulges that she is
love with the name Ernest and believes that’s his Christian name.
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| Helen Carey as Lady Bracknell |
Lady Bracknell, her mother, has other ideas
for Gwendolen, especially when Ernest/Jack tells her of his birthright. He
doesn’t know of his true parents or his pedigree. As the story goes he was discovered
by the late Mr. Thomas Cardew in the cloakroom in a handbag on a bench at Victoria
Station. (“To lose one parent, Mr. Worthington, may be regarded a misfortune;
to lose both is carelessness.”)
There is another
minor issue added to Jack’s tsoris about his birthright. Algernon finds Jack’s cigarette
case with Cecily’s name engraved on it. He taunts his friend to an almost show
down believing that Jack is having an affair with someone named Cecily. Unbeknownst to the other, they are more connected
at the hip and more alike than theywould ever admit.
Lady Bracknell snubs
her nose at Jack and dismisses his claim to her daughter until… well you have
to follow the dots on this unfolding saga; it’s almost too good to be true, but
it’s Wilde’s wild ride and fun to watch unfold.
 |
| Christian Conn is Algernon |
Algernon
(Christian Conn) his friend has the same dueling personalities in his
portfolio as Jack. They both neeed time out of the city/country. Some know him as Algernon (in the city) and some as Bunbery (when he
wants to get away from the city). Neither Ernest nor Burberry exists, but they
allow Jack and Algernon to play the field as bad boys in a social climate that
frowns on anything less than proper.
This type of
behavior plays havoc with Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell’s (Helen Carey) and with
Jack’s (young) ward Cecily (Helen Cespedes) who lives in the country and only
knows him as Jack. Everyone is dragged into this mish-mash as all hell breaks
lose, in the most, ahem, refined manner. It all unfolds, of course in the
gentrified country estate of Jack Cardew.
Lady Bracknell: “I
do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is
like a delicate exotic fruit, touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory
of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate,
education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious
danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor
Square ”
The first time I saw “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the
Old Globe was in 1982. Elis Rabb played Lady Bracknell in drag and Tom Moor
directed. Since, The Old Globe has mounted Wilde’s most popular play several
more times over the years.
 |
| Kate Abbruzzese and Matt Schwader |
It’s important to see it often and relish the characters for
who they are and especially what they say. In this case of this production directed with
a comic flair by Maria Aitken and dressed to the nines in Fabio Toblini’s
gorgeous Victorian costumes, each and every one carries off their respective
personalities with the bliss they exude when they speak, to the looks they give
each other when making a point.
At the center of this collision is Christian Conn’s
absolutely wonderful Algernon. If anyone can stir up the dust he has a way to
do it.
He openly, yet behind the scenes (especially in the country
with Cecily) manages to put everyone on notice to that effect when he shows up
at Jack’s country estate as Ernest, Jack’s brother. All hell breaks lose when
Jack comes in in morning clothes announcing that Ernest just died. The looks on
both the men’s face’s is worth the price of admission.
Matt Schwader is the opposite side of Algernon’s personality.
He’s as serious and tense as Conn’s Algernon’s is full of life and vigor.
Together they keep the story moving. Kate Abbruzzese is
about as straitlaced as is her new fiancé, but with a bit more emphasis on the
pretense.
 |
| Helen Cespedes and Kate Abbruzzese |
She and Cecily finally
meet when all are gathered at Jack’s country estate. The contrast in
personalities couldn’t be more obvious even though, strangely they share simple
ideas; they both keep diaries and they both must marry men whose names are Ernest.
Ms. Cespedes and Abbruzzese
are as perfect a pair as Algie and Jack snapping, bickering and picking at one another.
Gwendolen however has one advantage, she is used to looking down her nose at
other women.
Cecily: Do you
suggest Miss Fairfax, that I entrapped Ernest into this engagement? How dare
you? This is no time for wearing the shallow mask of manners. When I see a
spade I call it a spade.
Gwendolen: (satirically) “I’m glad to say I have never seen a
spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different.”
Helen Carey attacks the person of Lady Bracknell with all the pomp and
haughtiness afforded the role. Sharp as a tack she swoops
down on her prey never letting anything get in the way of her plans or opinion.
She proves to be a master at it. And…I love her look; hat askew almost falling
off her head with Toblini’s fitting outfits to die for.
 |
| Jane Ridley and Rodney Gardiner |
Jane Ridley’s Miss Prim, if you want to stretch a point,
solves the riddle of Jack’s birth mix up and is of course the prim and proper
governess to Cecily. She’s gaga over
Rev. Canon Chasuble (Rodney Gardiner) who doesn’t seem to have a clue. Both go
bumbling into the night and are a hoot to watch.
Rounding out the cast Daniel Harray and Sam Avishay are
fitting as Lane the butler, and Algernon’s valet, Merriman. Both are necessary
if high- class society is to prevail.
Hugh Landwehr sets are most extravagant looking in Act I but in
the opening scene of Act II the country hedges look fairly familiar as in
another production seen on this very stage. They do what they are intended;
hide what’s behind them, they are a bit too overdone.
Philip S. Rosenberg’s lighting only enhances that which is
already finely tuned and Fritz Patton’s original sound and music add to the
overall feeling of the play.
Gwendolen: “My idea has always been to love someone of the
name of Ernest. There is something in the name that inspires absolute
confidence.”
 |
| Helen Carey and Christian Conn |
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through March 4th.
Organization: The Old Globe
Phone: 619-234-5623
Production Type: Comedy
Where: 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
Ticket Prices: $30.00and up
Web: theoldglobe.org
Venue: Shiley Stage
Photo: Jim Cox
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