Famous words of Wilde stole the show

9:30am Thursday 9th October 2008

“IF I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated,”

– Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece of wit still overflows with charm and wonderful oneliners.

The Swan Theatre Amateur Company’s (STAC) capable cast did not add anything fresh to this three-act play, but did not take anything away either.

In a straight forward production, Wilde’s flighty women – Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax – impressed the most. Kathryn Bellamy was a feisty Gwendolen who demanded attention and swayed across the stage as if she owned it.

Simon Atkins and Christopher Broadfield were well suited to play Jack Worthing and Moncrieff and John Horton and Pauline Lowe were a divine pairing as Miss Prism and Dr Chasuble.

Lady Bracknell lacked bite; Patricia Hobday was brilliant but was too kind to instil any real fear.

Another low point were the fake cigarettes, which made the auditorium smell like the cast was on fire.

The set – all pastel green and period furniture – was apt but it was Wilde’s words that stole the show.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs at the Swan Theatre until Saturday.