Play Review: The Importance of Being Earnest

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This Oscar Wilde play is so fun! It's similar to a Shakespeare romantic comedy in that there are multiple couples in love and mistaken identities threaten to ruin everything until the truth comes out and they all live happily ever after.

I saw this play at the Atlas Performing Arts Center four years ago (read that blog post here). My previous blog post includes a summary of the story, so if you don't know this tale, I recommend reading that blog post first.

The Silver Spring Stage version from this weekend was as wonderful as the last time I saw this play! The set was small but just as charming. We started in Algie's flat in the city, then moved to Jack's country house. I like how creative this venue is with using its space; they can turn a small corner of a room into an entire garden!

Nick Temple (Algie) and Camille Pozderac (Cecily); Image from here

The characters were very well cast, and everyone was hilarious. Nicholas Temple and Noah Rich (who played Algie and Jack respectively) acted as the epitome of Bunbury-ists; they were both very funny, and I loved how Temple would eat throughout most of his scenes. Emma Wesslund and Camille Pozderac played the leading lady roles as Gwendolyn and Cecily, and they were delightfully catty and loving all at once. I may have liked Susan Holliday's portrayal as Lady Bracknell best; she was perfectly condescending and silly at the same time!

Noah Rich (Jack) and Emma Wesslund (Gwendolyn); Image from here

I saw this performance on its closing night, so if you're interested in seeing this story performed, check local listings of another company that may be showing it soon!