CAST SHINES IN LAMB’S “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”.

From the lips of Lady Bracknell (David McBean): “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.”

Lamb’s Players Theatre, under the skillful direction of Kerry Meads has assembled a prize cast to bring out the best of Oscar Wilde’s comedy/satire of Victorian attitudes, morals, manners and mores. The above quote is but one of his witticisms. More fun than a barrel of monkeys, Wilde’s 1895 wordplay comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest”, hits directly at the absurdity of 19th century upper class ethics. It will be playing through November 10th at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is all about deception, pretending and hypocrisy. The fun begins with Ernest (Brian Mackay) who is in fact leading a double life; he’s Jack in the country and Ernest (his brother) in the city. He thinks nothing of hiding this little secret.  And… he’s not the only one. 

His best friend Algernon (Michael Louis Cusimano) has the same affliction. Some know him as Algernon and some as Bunbury. Neither Ernest nor Bunbury exist, but they allow Jack and Algernon to play the field as bad boys in a social climate that frowns on anything less than proper.

Brian Salmon, Deborah Gilmour Smyth, David McBean, Michael Louis Cusimano, Lauren King Thompson, Rachael Van Wormer, Brian Mackey, Geno Carr. 

This type of behavior plays havoc with Ernest’s (Jack) love interest Gwendolen (Rachael Van Wormer), who also happens to be Algernon’s cousin and Lady Bracknell’s daughter. They live in the city. Jack’s ward Cecily (Lauren King Thompson), who lives in the country, is completely in the dark. When we catch up with Ernest, he has returned to the city to see Gwendolen whom he knows will be visiting Algernon. Here he proposes marriage and she accepts.

Lauren King Thompson, Rachael Van Wormer, David McBean

Lady Bracknell 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.”)

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 Toad Ride and fun to watch unfold. 

Lauren King Thompson and Michael Louis Cusimano

Under Kerri Meads deft direction, Wilde’s comedy of manners sails along at a clip so amusingly fast that it’s almost impossible to keep up with all the delectable little tidbits taking place on stage. Each and every player carries off their respective personalities with the bliss they exude when they speak, to the looks they give each other when making a point. 

The casting is also Oh So brilliant. At the center of this farce is Michael Louis Cusimano’s absolutely wonderful, and if I might add a handsome, Algernon who is amoral, selfish, and brilliant dressed to the nines in Jeanne Reith’s gorgeous period costumes. If anyone can stir up the dust he has a way to do it. Equally fitting is his counterpart Ernest (Brian Mackey) who started this whole saga when Algernon found his cigarette case with an engraving on it from a Cecily. 

Brian Salmon, Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Brian Mackey 

Not to be undone by anyone, David McBean’s Lady Bracknell is delicious. McBean is a natural for roles like this and he is never the shrinking violet. Every move is calculated, executed and delivered with commanding hypocrisy. 

Rachael Van Wormer’s Gwendolen, who is obsessed with the name Ernest, is sophisticated, worldly and pompous. She gives a commanding performance taking control of her surroundings. Lauren King Thompson’s Cecily is also fixated on the name Ernest. She has a vivid imagination  and is delightfully charming with those around herself.

Rachael Van Wormer and Lauren King Thompson

Deborah Gilmour Smyth is positively quirky as Miss Prism, Cecily’s teacher and governess. She has answers to the Victoria Station puzzle. She is  also smitten with, hasn’t  got a clue Rev. Chasuble, D.D. (Brian Salmon), Rector of Jack’s estate. Rounding out the cast, John Rosen is Lane, Algernon’s valet in the city. Gino Carr is  Merriman the butler at Jack’s estate in the country. 

As mentioned before Reith’s costumes are exquisite, tailored and fitting for each class. Sean Fanning’s set design is modest but well suited for both  in the city and in the country with a few little placements on the stage and a change of furniture dressing and two walls of roses on either side of the stage. Nathan Pierson’s lighting, Ben Read and Patrick Duffy’s sound design and Vanessa Dinning's dialect coaching round out the super design team.

Brian Mackey, Michael Louis Cusimano, Lauren King Thompson

If you are looking for a fun afternoon or evening, I give this a two thumbs up!

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

When:  Opens Sept. 21 and runs through Nov. 10. 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays. 

Where: Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado

Photo: Nate Pierson and Ken Jacques

Tickets: $38-$82

Phone: (619) 437-6000

Online: lambsplayers.org