Latest news with #TheImportanceofBeingEarnest
Spectator
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Is Stephen Fry the right choice to play Lady Bracknell?
Last year, the National Theatre staged The Importance of Being Earnest in a new production by Max Webster. It attracted mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, who applauded its determination to do something new – to re-queer Wilde for a younger audience, if you like – but also dared to suggest that Ncuti Gatwa, who played Algernon Moncrieff, was not the most comfortable casting for Wilde's protagonist. Still, Gatwa is a big name and pulled in the crowds, and so it was little surprise that, for the play's inevitable West End transfer, similarly starry names had to be produced. The first was Olly Alexander, the pop singer and actor, and now it has been revealed that none other than Sir Stephen Fry, the recently knighted national treasure himself, will be donning drag to play Lady Bracknell. The idea of male actors playing one of Wilde's greatest roles is nothing particularly surprising. Over the past few years, Geoffrey Rush and David Suchet have both given their Bracknells, as it were, and the idea of a superb classical actor taking on such a dynamic part is an exciting opportunity. Fry, however, is nobody's idea of a leading classical actor. His last major role on stage was as Malvolio in the Globe's Twelfth Night in 2012, and although he received decent notices, he was overshadowed by Mark Rylance as Olivia. (It was, naturally, an all-male production, something that would be almost inconceivable now.) Otherwise, he has largely opted for television and film over theatre, to mixed returns. His performance as Wilde in the eponymous 1997 film was a triumph of humanity, wit and obvious identification with the great playwright. Other roles have been less obviously distinguished. And of course he has his own unhappy associations with the theatre. Notoriously, he fled to Brussels in 1995 after being upset by the reviews for his performance in Simon Gray's Cell Mates, a saga of which his website now says, 'The experience still haunts him, but the depression has now faded to embarrassment and the anger to forgiveness.' Let us hope that Fry's return to the stage this autumn makes for a happier experience. He has a clear identification with Wilde and his works, and said of his casting that 'Oscar Wilde has been a hugely important figure in my life and career and The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that changed my life when I first saw it aged ten. It made me understand what language can do and absolutely transported me. Wilde is a beacon to people who still believe in open thinking and adventuring with the mind and spirit.' Few would disagree. Yet there is another question to be asked, too. The role of Lady Bracknell was played at the National by Sharon D Clarke, a fine actress of infinite range, and it seems a strange decision not to at least consider bringing Clarke back, or at the very least casting another grande dame of London theatre in the role to balance Alexander – another actor who has not appeared on stage in over a decade – in the lead. I would have loved to have seen, say, Cate Blanchett or Gillian Anderson in the part, or if the role had to be cast with a man, what someone like Roger Allam or, indeed, Mark Rylance would have done with the Lady. Still, perhaps it is not worth being too exercised by this piece of stunt casting. The Importance of Being Earnest is like London buses, or the Holy Trinity – you wait ages for one, and then three come along at once – and there will undoubtedly be another, more traditional production in due course. (Also, the casting of that great comedian Hugh Dennis as Canon Chasuble could be a coup.) Yet I fear that this is pandering to West End audiences who demand Big Stars at all costs. Fry is clearly a great lover of all things Wilde, and this may be a dream come true for him. Likewise, his presence will bring in the crowds, just as Gatwa's did. However, whether they were really the best actors for the role, or just the most bankable names, is a question that hangs over this particular Earnest.
Time Out
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Stephen Fry joins Olly Alexander in the West End transfer of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest' transfers to London's West End
UPDATE: Following the announcement back in June that the National Theatre's production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest would transfer to London's West End with Olly Alexander replacing original star Ncuti Gatwa, full casting has today been announced. The huge news is that massive Brit star Stephen Fry will make one of his rare stage appearances: his first since the Globe's Twelfth Night back in 2012. He'll play the play's infamous old battle-axe Lady Bracknell: very different casting to Sharon D Clarke, who played the role at the NT, but having the role played by a man is not without precedent (David Suchet did it in the West End a while back). They'll be joined by an excellent cast that includes Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Rev. Canon Chasuble, Shobna Gulati as Miss Prism, Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew and Hayley Carmichael as Merriman/Lane. Ncuti Gatwa's time on Doctor Who proved to be pretty brief. But he didn't put his feet up in the gap between his two seasons – theatre was his first love and he got straight back on that stage last Christmas to star in the National Theatre's hallucinogenically camp take on Oscar Wilde's classic The Importance of Being Earnest, the first the NT had staged since the '80s. The Max Webster-directed production was a roaring great hit and now it's set to transfer to the West End, replacing Mischief Theatre's The Comedy About Spies at the Noël Coward Theatre. Gatwa's not coming along though: whether he'd have been up for it is a moot point, as he's already busy starring in the RSC's new West End play Born with Teeth. However, a fine replacement has been found for the role of young 'bachelor' about town Algernon Montcrieff: it's Olly Alexander, who hasn't been in Doctor Who but did make his name as actor in It's A Sin, another show by Russell T Davies. Wilde's play is very much an ensemble affair and there is no news on further casting at this stage, though we dare to dream that the mighty Sharon D Clarke will return as the formidable Lady Bracknell. If you want to know a little more about what the production was like last time, then read our four-star review here.
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC to axe 'lavish' fan favourite period drama in just days
The 1999 period drama An Ideal Husband is currently available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer, but fans have just a few days left to catch the film before it is removed from the platform Devotees of period dramas will be devastated to discover this overlooked 1999 gem is departing the BBC on August 2, but with mere days remaining to catch it, now is the perfect moment. An Ideal Husband presents a tale plucked directly from the brilliant mind of the iconic Oscar Wilde, brought to life from his celebrated 1895 theatrical work. The narrative weaves a compelling tale of extortion and governmental scandal amongst high society whilst exploring what it truly means to be a 'perfect husband'. The production benefits enormously from being stuffed with A-list talent, featuring Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northam. Their stellar turns are guided by Oliver Parker's skilled direction, the same filmmaker behind 2002's Wilde adaptation The Importance of Being Earnest. More than 25 years after hitting cinemas, An Ideal Husband continues to earn acclaim from movie enthusiasts, boasting an impressive 85% rating on review platform Rotten Tomatoes. One glowing review says: "A delightful Oscar Wilde story with an all-star cast doing great work in a beautifully evoked period setting: that is a recipe for a delightful romantic comedy." In this sharp social commentary, the story centres on political heavyweight Sir Robert Chiltern, portrayed by Jeremy Northam, alongside his debonair companion Lord Arthur Goring, brought to life by Rupert Everett, who enjoys an idyllic existence with his spouse, Gertrude, reports the Express. However, both gentlemen find their worlds thrown into turmoil when a former acquaintance resurfaces - Mrs Laura Cheveley, who schemes to extort Chiltern using damning proof of his historical misdeeds. Suddenly, everything hangs in the balance for him, including his brilliant wife, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, but it falls to the pair to tackle this pandemonium together. As gossip starts to circulate, his standing begins to crumble and everyone begins to realise the seemingly flawless gentleman might be fundamentally corrupt beneath the surface. Audiences cannot stop raving about the ensemble's portrayals as they breathe life into these intricate personalities on the big screen. One review says: "Outstanding cast in this delightful comedy of high society England in the Victorian era. Rupert Everett was outstanding playing the handsome, charming ladies man... But the prize for the best acting must go to Julianne Moore." A separate spectator penned: "A rather good adaptation of one of Wilde's best scripts delivered by a stellar cast. Jeremy Northam is fine, and one wonders why he has not done more on screen. Leisurely but smoothly directed with sumptuous art direction." One viewer praised Rupert Everett's portrayal of Goring, stating: "Delightfully British, upper-class drollness and wit. Everett effortlessly inhabits his role, almost as if he was born to play a Wilde character." Following the film's triumph, An Ideal Husband received multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and garnered acclaim from both industry professionals and admirers of Wilde's original literature. The costume drama stands as the most triumphant version of this enduring tale and is regarded by countless critics as both "witty" and "entertaining." One film reviewer captured it perfectly, declaring: "It's lavish, clever entertainment, a welcome opportunity to laugh without shame." Audiences have mere days remaining to watch the film without charge on BBC iPlayer before it vanishes from the service on August 2.
Otago Daily Times
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Student performers wear hearts on sleeves
A Dunedin secondary school's theatre group has placed Shakespearean women in a Gen Z world. Trinity Catholic College's The Bardchelor imagined what it would be like if four Shakespeare heroines — Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Titania (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Ophelia (Hamlet) and Katherine (The Taming of the Shrew) — were contestants on the reality TV show The Bachelor. In the scene, written by Trinity head of drama and dance Erica Ward, the four were competing for Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. The group performed the parody at the Dunedin Theatrefest on Saturday with five other schools and the Dunedin Repertory Society. Ms Ward said it was a successful day with performers of all ages taking part. The purpose of the festival was for the students to receive feedback and improve their performances. Ms Ward said she chose the different Shakespearean characters based on their personalities for the parody. Benedick, the wilful lord, ended up choosing himself instead of any of the dames presented to him. Ms Ward said a lot of the performances were devised by the schools with their own inspiration and content. "It was really special to see lots of original works." Groups from Logan Park High School, Dunedin Repertory Society and Queen's High School were chosen to advance to the regional stage of the Theatrefest contest on August 24. Theatrefest results Magic Moment Trinity Catholic College: The Case of the Missing Mug: Inspectors Entrance Queen's High School: Seacliff: Opening Imagery Columba College: Housekeeping: Collaborative Creation Queen's High School: Tangiwai: Physical Imagery Columba College: A Friend for Karen: Karen's Tantrum Columba College: A Friend for Karen: Original Comedic Script Merit Awards Acting: Columba College: A Friend for Karen: Bethan Mundy Acting: Trinity Catholic College: The Case of the Missing Mug: Riley Culling Acting: Dunedin Repertory Society: The Importance of Being Earnest: Riley McIntosh Acting: Trinity Catholic College: The Bardchelor: Joseph Kelly Acting: Trinity Catholic College: The Bardchelor: Meadow Stewart Acting: John McGlashan College: The Real Housewives of Colchis: Jess Mundy Acting: John McGlashan College: The Real Housewives of Colchis: Glenn Ericsson Directing: Queen's High School: Seacliff Ensemble: Queen's High School: Seacliff Ensemble: Queen's High School: Tangiwai Overall design: John McGlashan College: The Real Housewives of Colchis Overall design: Logan Park High School: Poetic Descent Distinction Awards Acting: Dunedin Repertory Society: The Importance of Being Earnest: Rowan Metreyeon Direction: Logan Park High School: Poetic Descent: Finn Trotman-Ericsson Production of Comedy/Farce: Dunedin Repertory Society: The Importance of Being Earnest
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The Crown actor dead at 87
David Killick has died aged 87. The veteran actor - whose roles included Mess President in season five of the Crown and a pathologist in A Touch of Frost - passed away on Friday (04.07.25) in a north London hospice, his agent has confirmed. David's representative announced in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our much loved friend and client David Killick, who died peacefully on Friday 4th July at St John's Hospice, North London after a short illness. "David was an actor for over 60 years, loved the business and his fellow actors, and was loved and respected in his turn by all who were lucky enough to work with him. "He will be sorely missed." David - whose first screen credit was as a soldier in 1977's A Bridge Too Far - also had a number of stage roles, including parts in The Importance of Being Earnest and The Crucible and voice roles in audio series such as Doctor Who: The Lost Stories, The Judgement of Sherlock Holmes, Macbeth and Poptropica -On the Farm. David's profile on the website of his agent, Stanton Davidson Associates, branded him a "delightful, talented, and vastly experienced actor" who "loves" his work. It read: "We say - This delightful, talented and vastly experienced actor, whose extensive CV speaks for itself, is a highly prized addition to our stable. He loves the work – please keep him at it!" And David said of himself on his profile: "Really did enjoy the hard work of weekly Rep! Yes, and that was after helping Caryl Jenner set up the first permanent children's theatre company The Unicorn at the Arts Theatre, Leicester Square. Other highlights - Newcastle, Hadrian V11 and my one and only Dame in Panto, Edinburgh, George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Leeds, Basilio in Life's a Dream (Matthew Warchus) and masses more. "Long-time member of the RSC and occasional happy trips to the NT. A somewhat harassed Pathologist in A Touch of Frost, a Don in The History Boy's (just)! and a host of other appearances in front of the camera down the years. Many audio recordings, I really do like working….
