A hilarious and genius improv show
…Earnest? begins as if you are watching a true performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. The lights come up, the set is revealed and the actors spring into the scene. Before long, however, you realise the show in front of you may not be true to the book.
Chaos ensues when it becomes apparent that the actor playing Earnest is not in the building. The supporting actors unsuccessfully attempt to cover without seeming flapped, but soon the whole show has fallen apart in plain view of everyone. The director must take to the stage, apologise, and reluctantly reveal the only plausible solution: to cast one of the audience members in his leading role.
From this point onwards, the show becomes increasingly hilarious. As an unsuspecting victim is ushered on stage, given a costume and seemingly very limited direction, the other actors must grapple with this change, which they do with varying levels of confidence. The script is genius, allowing for improv to carry the show’s vibrancy. Throughout the performance, disaster continues to strike the company, causing need for another audience member to be cast, and then another, and then another. Eventually the stage is occupied by only bewildered members of the audience, while the rest of us roared with laughter.
From start to finish, this show was hilarious. The amount of comedic devices running through it meant there was never a dull moment and the pace never slowed, even though most of those on stage hadn’t done a single rehearsal. It’s absolute madness and I can imagine must be a lot of fun for the company, with every performance being unique.
It was also fun to see the characters selling their own merchandise during the interval. Afterwards the actors greeting everyone in the foyer: clearly a group of friendly, jovial people and so I’m sure those picked to go on stage had a wonderful experience too.
I would recommend this show to anyone, but be warned: don’t sit near the front if you don’t want to risk a taste of the stage lights!