The Importance of Being Earnest starring David Suchet: chronicle of a tremendous evening

10 novembre 2015

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, starring David Suchet as Lady Bracknell

On Saturday took place the last performance of The Importance of Being Earnest starring David Suchet at the Vaudeville Theatre. I was there last Tuesday and I really enjoyed the play. 

Last week, as you may have noticed from my last posts, I was in London. Even though I planned lots of things to do during the three days and a half I was there, I will tell you a secret: the whole trip was planned around one play I absolutely wanted to see before it ended: The Importance of Being Earnest starring David Suchet as Lady Bracknell at the Vaudeville Theatre.

A big fan of David Suchet, especially as Hercule Poirot (since I have loved Agatha Christie’s books forever – the first time I read them all, I was 11), but also of the Oscar Wilde’s play, which is my favourite, such a performance was unmissable for me. Therefore, as you may imagine, I had great expectations last Tuesday when I arrived at The Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand – and they were met.

A grand satyre of Victorian society

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People (its whole name), was the last play written by Oscar Wilde that was performed before his trial and exile. It is an extremely funny satyre of the Victorian ways and social conventions, especially regarding the High Society and the institution of marriage.

It tells the story of Jack Worthing who, in order to escape his strict life and obligations in the country, made up Ernest, a fake brother with a very dubious lifestyle in London. Therefore, he is Jack in the country with his young ward, Cecily Cardew, and Ernest when in town with his friend Algernon Montcrief. Algernon has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, and Jack, who is in love with her, intends to ask for his hand. But first, he will have to convince Gwendolen’s mother (and Algernoon’s aunt), Lady Bracknell, that he is a fine enough suite for her daughter.

The truth is rarely pure and never simple – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Never speak disrespectfully of society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it has handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds me one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution

Do you smoke? Well, yes, I must admit I smoke. I’m glad to hear of it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Long engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each other’s character before marriage, which is never advisable – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

One of the most adapted plays

This play has know many adaptations and the uptight Lady Bracknell is undoubtedly its tastiest character. Dame Judy Dench has played the role twice, both on stage in Sir Peter Hall’s production in 1982 and in the 2002 movie, also starring Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon and Frances O’Connor. Dame Maggie Smith was Nicholas Hytner’s Lady Bracknell in 1993. The play has been produced once with an all-black cast (Talawa Theatre Company, 1989) and another time with an all-male cast (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 2005). As for the role of Lady Bracknell, David Suchet was definitely not the first one to wear her dresses since Geoffrey Rush had already played the part in Australia and Brian Bedford in New York.

Maggie Smith as Lady Bracknell in 1993 – DR

Brian Bedford as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest – DR

Geoffrey Rush has been Lady Bracknell from The Importance of Being Earnest, in Australia – DR

Judi Dench, who had already been Lady Bracknell on stage in 1982, retook the Lady’s dress in the 2002 movie – DR

David Suchet’s Lady Bracknell: the Corset challenge

This was still a great challenge,especially for an actor mostly known for his Hercule Poirot impersonation, a role he kept alive for 24 years (from 1989 to 8 January 1989 to 13 November 2013). Would he be able to shake off this image I had of him (as many fans probably did)?

Well he did. David Suchet shined as an incredible Lady Bracknell, wearing the corset with class and dignity. And the faces… I wish you could all have seen the faces he made. David Suchet did translate perfectly on stage the very hung-up Lady Bracknell, in a manner that showed how much the Lady enjoyed entertaining her audience. Every time she would entered the stage, the audience would fill with laughter for he was so funny.

David Suchet wears Lady Bracknell’s corset during The Importance of Being Earnest’s rehearsals – DR

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

David Suchet as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest 2015 – DR

But David Suchet is not the only reason I adored this adaptation from Adrian Noble. The director got the perfect cast for every role and offered quite a kinky performance, from Algernon (Philip Cumbus) lying on the couch on the first act (in such a manner no-one would imagine in Victorian’s high society) to the (way too) naughty governess Miss Prism (Michele Dotrice) and Reverend Chasuble (Richard O’Callaghan), not forgetting the very not so innocent only 18 year old Cecily Cardew (Imogen Doel) and her unforgettable way of bending in front of Algernon.

I was very happy to discover the thrilling Imogen Doel who gave us a very accurate Cecily, this young girl living in the country and dreaming of a way more exciting life. I must say she was the best Cecily I ever saw on stage and I do hope to see more of her in the future. Philip Cumbus was a particularly good Algernon, playful and naughty; while Emily Barber and Michael Benz, respectively Gwendolen Fairfax and Jack Worthing, were just as good. And what could I say about Richard O‘Callaghan (the Reverend Canon) and Michele Dotrice (the governess Miss Prism), so, so far away from the respectability their positions should inspire them! Jumping and giggling like two joyful kids in love, the governess and reverend were truly cheering to watch and so very funny.

Philip Cumbus as Algernon Montcrief and David Killick as Lane during rehearsals of The Importance of Being Earnest – ©NC

Philip Cumbus as Algernon Montcrief and David Suchet as Lady Bracknell during rehearsals of The Importance of Being Earnest – ©NC

Michele Dotrice as Miss Prism and Richard O’Callaghan as the Reverend Canon during rehearsals of The Importance of Being Earnest – ©NC

Vaudeville Theatre London Dress Rehearsals April 2015 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Directed by Adrian Noble David Suchet as Lady Bracknell ©NOBBY CLARK

Imogen Doel as Cecily and Philip Cumbus as Algernon during rehearsals of The Importance of Being Earnest – ©NC

Emily Barber as Gwendolen Fairfax and Michael Benz as Jack Worthing during rehearsals of The Importance of Being Earnest – ©NC

A delighting cast

At the end of the play, I went with my friend round the corner to find the stage door in hope that I would be able to ask the cast to sign my programme. If at first I was to go to get David Suchet’s autograph, after the performance I was very eager to get everyone’s. The ravishing Imogen Doel, as well as the very nice Michele Dotrice and Michael Benz took the time to stop and sign everyone’s prograemrs, very nicely. I was a bit disapointed when Philip Cumbus left very quickly after we were all asked to line on the sidewalk while waiting for David Suchet.

But then all was forgotten when we were all shown to the grand actor in small groups, since I got to see the Great Hercule Poirot with only my friend. He was as nice as one could hope and expect from one of their favourite actors, shaking our hands (twice) and agreeing to answer a question about his favourite tea for my other blog. All together, that encounter probably lasted less than a minute but it was so impressive that it felt like a lot more and, when we got out with my friend, we could not help but shout, so happily: « WE’VE MET HERCULE POIROOOOOOOT!!! » Yes, that’s right, two crazy and shameless Frenchies shouting in the street. But you cannot be mad at us, since it was such an enjoyable evening.

David Suchet signed my programme of The Importance of Being Earnest after the November 2nd performance – DR

Imogen Doel and Michele Dotrice signed my programme of The Importance of Being Earnest after the November 2nd performance – DR

Michael Benz signed my programme of The Importance of Being Earnest after the November 2nd performance – DR

To end on a cheerful note, here’s a collection of some of the best quotes from Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest. Enjoy! 🙂

Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks everything. What more can one desire? – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

All women dress like their mothers, that is their tragedy. No man ever does.  That is his – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

And, after all, what is a fashion? From the artistic point of view, it is usually a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Gwendolen, it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me? – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

He was eccentric, I admit. But only in later years. And that was the result of the Indian climate, and marriage, and indigestion, and other things of that kind – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I am not in favour of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment’s notice – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Fortunately in England, at any rate, educations produces no effect whatsoever – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I don’t like novels that end happily. They depress me so much. The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I don’t play accurately-any one can play accurately-but I play with wonderful expression. As far as my piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I hope you are behaving very well. I’m feeling very well. That’s not quite the same thing. In fact, the two things rarely go together – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I’ll bet you anything that half an hour after they have met, they will be calling each other sister. Women only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things first – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. It looks so calculating – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist. I do my best to give satisfaction, sir – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

No married man is ever attractive except to his wife. An often, I’ve been told, not even to her – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Oh, don’t cough, Ernest. When one is dictating one should speak fluently and not cough. Besides, I don’t know how to spell a cough – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Pray do! I think that whenever one as anything unpleasant to say, one should always be quite candid – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Prism! Where is that baby? – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knwoledge of how to live nor the smallest instinct about when to die – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, so Bunbury died. He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to someone else if she is plain – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free will, remained thirty-five for years – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Well, I can’t eat muffins in a agitated manner. One should always eat muffins calmly – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Well, I know, of course, how important it is not to keep a business engagement, if one wants to retein any sense of the beauty of life – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, as any one who know me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except for food and drink – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

You can’t possibly ask me to go without having some dinner. It’s absurd. I never go without my dinner. No one ever does, except vegetarians and people like that – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

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