Sometimes it takes a while to try and get your thoughts together after seeing a performance. You take time in trying to get your thoughts written down, go through the cast, simply try to put what you want to say in order to that it makes sense. But after walking out of The Importance of Being Earnest, the Oscar Wilde classic, I couldn’t contain myself…this is perfection with an extra dose of class.
The Barefoot Players have energy, passion, skill, and an incredible ability in bringing to life a classic text with real conviction and believability that you feel like your there. There is not one bit of this production that has not been carefully thought about and solved with ease.
This is a short review – Full review to follow – as the play has its last performance tomorrow and though the first two nights have been sellout shows there may still be a chance to see this production. One of the most memorable scenes was between Lady Augusta Bracknell (Sarah King) and Jack Worthing (Sam Black) when he is informing his potential future mother-in-law of his origins. Both actors gave stunning performances that on King’s part was funny and reserved and on Black’s part honest and sweet.
When Jack say’s he can produce a hang-bag as origins of his birth was both so sweet and innocent as well as one of the funniest lines I have ever sat want watched.
Fringe shows can be, at times, hit and miss with a variety of productions coming, taking on texts not really engaging with the material. This can sometimes create a mixed offering from leaving the audience a little less than convinced. The Barefoot Players have been skilfully directed by James Davies who really understood the piece, as do the actors, and really brought that ‘other world’ to life.
The Cast
This is a very weighty and wordy piece with exchanges between the few players on stage very long and intensive, very rarely did any of them drop their lines and at times the text gave them a gravety young actors would kill for Further note is Eleanor Conlon, Gwendolen Fairfax, and Andy Mansell, Algernon Moncrieff. The more the play progressed the more you connected with their characters and the more amazing the play became.
The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the early shows at Brighton Fringe that show, without question, just why Brighton is position as the 3rd biggest fringe festival in the world. This is a wonderful production and beautiful cast that have been steered well.
Tomorrow is their last show, do not miss this! For more information you can find it on the Brighton Fringe Website HERE.
