Reviewed by Susanna Wu-Pong
It isn’t every day, or even every month that you get to see a play that is so delightful that you want to savor every moment of it. So it is with the collaborative production by Richmond Triangle Players and Henley Street Theatre/Richmond Shakespeare’s light-hearted and playful rendition of Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest.
The story is absolutely Shakespearean in the use of false and mistaken identities, love affairs, and long-lost family members. This pleasing tale, entertaining for all age groups, depicts the unlikely but hilarious situation of two women in love with different versions of a fictitious man named Earnest. Unfortunately for the real versions of those men (Jack and Algernon), the name Earnest, and only the name Earnest, causes these women’s hearts to swoon and marital fantasies to run wild.
The fictitious name is the only thing these men share as one is as serious (Jack) as the other is merry (Algernon). Jack (Thomas Cunningham) is the stereotypically stuffy Brit who amusingly capitalizes on the lighter side of Jack’s seriousness. Algernon (Ian Stearns) is the quintessential English aristocratic version of the bad boy: a cavalier, charming, completely superficial dandy. Algernon as portrayed by Stearns is a luscious, guilty treat, and this female was swooning for the opportunity to tame his stray locks.
The (stage) women who fell for the mysterious Earnest are Gwendolyn and Cecily. Audra Honaker brings her edge to the role of calculating and crafty Gwendolyn, whose love for Jack/Ernest eventually brings out her softer side. Aly Wepplo plays Cecily, the perky, adorable, innocent ward of Jack who falls for Algernon/Ernest. Jennifer Frank and John Storck Maddox perform Miss Prism and the Reverend, respectively, with distinction and comedic skill. Another standout is Stephen Ryan, who despite having the fewest lines of the play, hilariously offers up the dark, long-suffering butler with little more than a look and posture. The dream troupe, so superbly casted and directed by Jan Powell, the pace, and the execution of this captivating comedy provides for an enchanting and memorable evening.
Saving the best for last, the real star of the production was Aunt Augusta Bracknell, played by Robert Throckmorton. Throckmorton commanded our attention from the moment he appeared on stage in his purple, iridescent taffeta and thereafter required that we cling to his every word and gesture. Costumes by Emily Atkins were outstanding. Each outfit paraded across stage was a wonder to behold: beautiful, rich, elegant, and artfully arranged to sumptuously evoke the sartorial richness of the English aristocracy.
This collaboration between Richmond Triangle Players and Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare was a silky-smooth smashing success. I can’t wait to see the fruits of the next partnership.
You can see it at Richmond Triangle Players through October 19. For show times and tickets, visit Henley Street Theatre Student and senior discounts are available.
