Review: The Importance of being Earnest

As you know, I am a huge fan of theatre. Especially, National Theatre in London and its broadcasts. I probably should blog about it more, but I always forget to write reviews. Last night I went to see "The Importance of being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. It was staged by West End, I believe, which I mistakingly took for NT as 99% of broadcasts I go to are done by them. I even tweeted about it, confused as why there was no NT live introduction.

I love Oscar Wilde, although I admit that I know more about his life than I ever read his books. I heard of this play, but I don't think I ever watched it on stage until yesterday. My main fascination with this production was due to the fact that David Suchet, whom I love and adore, plays Lady Bracknell in it.

I love Suchet as Hercule Poirot and I also got a chance to see him on stage live in The Last Confession a year ago (I think I got really teary eyed about it), so of course I had to see him again.

He was terrific! Incredibly funny! It was more about his face and his eyes than even about the words, although he did deliver all punch lines perfectly ("The bag!"). The whole cast was just stellar! Not so many familiar faces to me, I am afraid. But all of them were so, so funny! (David Suchet stayed in role even at the curtain call, which was cool.)

The play had 3 acts and 2 intermissions.

 

Vaudeville Theatre London Dress Rehearsals April 2015 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Adrian Noble David Suchet as Lady Bracknell Designer Peter McKintosh Lighting Howard Harrison Emily Barber/Gwendolen Fairfax Imogen Doel/Cecily Cardew Michael Benz/Jack Worthington Michele Doctrice/Miss Prism Philip Cumbus/Algernon Moncrieff David Killick/Lane Richard O'Callaghan/Rev Canon Chasuble Brendan Hooper/Merriman ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk

Vaudeville Theatre London Dress Rehearsals April 2015 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Adrian Noble David Suchet as Lady Bracknell Designer Peter McKintosh Lighting Howard Harrison Emily Barber/Gwendolen Fairfax Imogen Doel/Cecily Cardew Michael Benz/Jack Worthington Michele Doctrice/Miss Prism Philip Cumbus/Algernon Moncrieff David Killick/Lane Richard O'Callaghan/Rev Canon Chasuble Brendan Hooper/Merriman ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk

Vaudeville Theatre London Dress Rehearsals April 2015 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Adrian Noble David Suchet as Lady Bracknell Designer Peter McKintosh Lighting Howard Harrison Emily Barber/Gwendolen Fairfax Imogen Doel/Cecily Cardew Michael Benz/Jack Worthington Michele Doctrice/Miss Prism Philip Cumbus/Algernon Moncrieff David Killick/Lane Richard O'Callaghan/Rev Canon Chasuble Brendan Hooper/Merriman ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk

The play is screening in several countries across the globe, so I implore you to go and see it. It is quite wonderful! It definitely lifted my spirits. (David Suchet as Lady Bracknell looks a lot like my maternal grandmother, down to a stern look and bushy eyebrows. I kept getting chills during the performance!)

Watch the official trailer here: https://youtu.be/z4UVgvzpUnU

It was a classic theatre staging, nothing moving and no water or fire or other special effects that are so common for National Theatre productions, but I really liked it. It let the audience focus on the acting which was superb.

If I had to rate it, I'd give it 5/5 stars.

p.s. While in the audience, I was surprised that some people didn't know David Suchet from his Hercule Poirot role. Gosh, I felt like such a fangirl.

Event: Welcome To Night Vale Live Episode "The Investigation" // October 26, 2015

IMG_1100 Even though I was horribly jetlagged, I couldn't miss this! The live episode of WTNV called "The Investigation" was even funnier than "The Librarian" that I went to a year ago. Eliza Rickman was once again a special guest of the show. She did a great job, and was very funny, although she had a cold. (She did the show as part of her album tour, which is very exciting. I did support her on Kickstarter, but I haven't got her album yet - which reminds me that I probably should log in and see what's going on there.)

Disparition provided the live music during the show.

(Two of the funniest things that Eliza said were about how thanks to the sound engineer she was singing notes that do not exist during the soundcheck and that the picture of Cecil wearing one of her dresses during the last tour was one with the most popular pictures she posted on social media - and that they might do it again. XD)

Cecil was even better doing live show this time. (Also so handsome!) His little dialogue with Carlos was adorable. Especially, the FACES he was making during it. I swear, I love the podcast, but I wouldn't mind watching Cecil read it either! ;D

I really enjoyed myself. There were quite a few people in the crowd who came in full cosplay - so cool! I also scored a seat quite close to the stage which gave me an opportunity to take this photo!