REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest – at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, May 25 until Saturday, May 30, 2015.

ALWAYS a joy to watch, be it amateur or a top class professional production, Earnest once again earned its spurs and deserved all the accolades for what was pure unadulterated fun from start to finish.

A simple, yet at the same time complex plot of character confusion, there was also the added factor here that the main female character was played by a man dressed-up to resemble a rather formidable battle-axe dowager duchess.

This can hardly be described as a gamble though by director Adrian Noble to tempt such a famous name as David Suchet to play one of theatre’s iconic comedy roles - Lady Bracknell, and it’s certainly had the desired effect with the box office tills ringing not only in Malvern but at other tour stops.

Considering such theatrical luminaries as Dames Edith Evans, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are among the elite who have played Lady B it could be argued it was taking a bit of a chance as it seems there ain’t nothing like a dame for this part. But Suchet, although forever etched in our minds as the incomparable Poirot, pulls it off in such a wonderful way he might even deserve to be made an honorary dame.

It would be easy to overplay such a pivotal role but Suchet, along with Noble’s astute guidance, walked the tightrope well and ensured the production abided by and thrived in allowing Oscar Wilde’s oft-performed masterpiece to play out as intended.

Everything is like fine crystal… with clean-cut voices and sparkling performances right the way through, while having Wilde’s much-loved and famous lines - such as ‘losing one’s parents’ and those that have a pop or two at society - delivered with such perfect flow and timing simply added to the enjoyment.

Suchet was in great form making the most of Wilde’s wit. The little asides, withering looks and puzzled expressions, revealed a man - sorry, ‘woman’ in control, much as Lady Bracknell is the main cog in this classic. But others shine too.

Step forward Michele Dotrice's dotty governess Miss Prism and the equally potty Reverend Chasuble (Richard O’Callaghan) who between them garnered some of the biggest laughs.

Impressive offerings too from the love-lorn couples - Algernon (Philip Cumbus), Imogen Doel (Cecily), Michael Benz (Jack Worthing) and Emily Barber (Gwendolen).

The two scallywag bachelors, most earnest in their efforts, bonded brilliantly and were involved in what are best described as a couple of fine comedy sketches within a comedy that has easily stood the test of time, in particular their hilarious exchange over who was entitled to eat muffins.

The sets are real quality, quite palatial interiors and a top notch country garden in which you could clearly smell the roses. All utterly charming and in keeping with 1890s English high society.

Earnest is one of the most enduring and endearing comedy plays in British theatre and there’s every reason to believe its popularity will continue for a good many years to come.

The whole ensemble will be moving to the Vaudeville Theatre, London, towards the end of next month for a limited run of just over four months. If the reaction of Monday night’s opening full house is anything to go by, and with tickets scarce for the rest of the week at Malvern, it might need more than four months to satisfy demand in the West End.

Arguably one of the best productions of Earnest in recent times, it deserves to be seen by as many as possible.