IT'S going from Bard to worse for the Worcester Rep unless, like many others, you are a huge fan of Oscar Wilde and, in particular, the wit-wizard's classic comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest".
The change, from one giant of the stage to another, is to mark the tenth anniversary of Worcester Rep's outdoor productions in the Commandery Gardens, Worcester.
A spokesman said: "It’s all change for this year’s annual outdoor production at the Commandery as the Worcester Rep takes a break from the Bard to perform Oscar Wilde’s much-loved masterpiece, – the hilarious satire of Victorian manners, and a delicious feast of decadence, hypocrisy and pomposity.
"Worcester Rep’s annual outdoor event has become something of an institution since its first season back in 2007. For nine consecutive years the Company has been taking Shakespeare’s classic comedies, giving them the Worcester Rep treatment, and presenting hilarious and accessible interpretations to crowds of picnicking punters in the beautiful surroundings of the Commandery Gardens."
The spokesman added: "But now, to celebrate ten years on the trot, the Worcester Rep is shaking things up as they prepare to perform a play by one of the other very greatest of English playwrights, Oscar Wilde – and a very ‘Wilde’ production it promises to be."
Director Chris Jaeger, who is artistic director of the Worcester Rep, said, “This is one of the great English plays. It is as fresh today as the day it was written, and we’re definitely going to have some fun with it.”
The fun include sending the play roaring into the 1920s.
Mr Jaeger said: "It’s likely to be the only Earnest that you will have seen that features twenties tunics and splashes of jazz, and comes complete with a Charleston as the cherry on top."
The eight-strong cast will include 6ft 2 inch tall, "rather hairier than normal" Miss Prism, in the form of Rep actor Edward Manning, and Liz Grand stars as the infamous Lady Bracknell, complete with her "handbag".
The Importance of Being Earnest opens on Tuesday the July 12 and runs for two weeks in the Commandery Gardens, Worcester, until Sunday July 24, excluding Monday July 18.
Tickets and further details on, 01905 611427 / worcesterlive.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here