The Importance of Being Earnest

Black Swan Theatre Company embraced this classic comedy with themed pre-show announcements, sumptuous settings and beautiful costumes.

The audience quickly warmed to the Widean wit, which was accentuated by playful blocking and physical humour.

I particularly enjoyed the performances of the younger lovers, Scott Sheridan as Algernon and Adriane Duff as Cecily. Complimenting each other beautifully, their characters were wonderfully balanced.

Gwendolyn and Jack were played by real life married couple Rebecca Davis and Stuart Halusz, and as would be expected, they conveyed genuine affection and visible warmth in their beautifully timed performances.

Well known WA actress Jenny Davis, who is also Rebecca's mother, played Gwendolyn's mother Lady Bracknell. An understated yet powerful performance, she underplayed the well-known "A handbag?" line, but managed to quietly convey a rather formidable woman.

Michael Loney played both butlers, giving Lane sophistication and cynicism while Merriman was excitable and over-eager.

Pauline Whyman was a competent Miss Prism. While as a stand-alone performance I could see merit in Peter Rowsthorn's performance as Doctor Chasuble, I felt it jarred with the cast as he seemed to be acting in a different play in terms of style and presentation.

While the sets and costumes were exquisite, the mirrored stage floor was at times distracting.

This was a celebration of the talents of the author, a lavish production, nicely executed.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: (top) Jenny Davis and Scott Sheridan and (lower) Rebecca Davis and Adrian Daff.  images by Gary Marsh.