NODA REVIEW OF 'THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST'

This play was an ambitious choice for this company and especially for Karen Claridge in the 'hot seat' for the first time. A well constructed set worked well but I thought was a little too fussy for the limited playing arena.

The complicated plot was excellently portrayed by a strong cast. Huw Williams (John Worthing) and Richard Jones (Algemon Moncrieff) set the pace with their lengthy opening scene. There were some lovely cameo roles with Phil Davies as the Rev. Canon Chasuble and Ruth Crowder as Lady Bracknell. Tracy Richards (Lady Gwendolen Fairfax) and Fleur Greening (Cecily Cardew) provided the two ladies being pursued by the two suitors. Ian Jones (Mr Gribsy), Rhys Stapleton (Moulton), Dai Williams (Merriman), John Major (Lane), Martyn Lench (Footman), Brenda Slaughter (Miss Prism) all contributed successfully to a most enjoyable evening. As I made my way home I could not help comparing Oscar Wilde to the other great writer of that same era, W.S .Gilbert, there is certainly a hint of Topsy- Turvydom about this play.

Reviewed by Derek Grattidge

Cast

Lane - John Major

Algernon Moncrieff - Richard Jones

John Worthing - Huw Williams

Lady Bracknell - Ruth Crowder

Lady Gwendolen Fairfax - Tracy Richards

Cecily Cardew - Fleur Greening

Miss Prism - Brenda Slaughter

Moulton - Rhys Stapleton

Rev Canon Chasuble - Phil Davies

Merriman - Dai Williams

Mr Gribsby - Ian Jones

Footman - Martyn Lench

Production Team

Producer / Director – Karen Claridge

Assistant Producer and Director – Anne Morris

Stage Manager – Wayne Brewer

Assistant Stage Manager - Raynor Phinnemore

Properties – Raynor Phinnemore

Set Design and Construction – Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Karen Claridge, Ray Claridge, Jenna Claridge, Rhys Stapleton, Anne Morris, Sue O'Halloran, Nathan Brown, Jan Stapleton, Ros Jones, Wayne Davies, Hilary Evans

Stage Crew - Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Nathan Brown, Josh Cripp

Lighting / Sound – Wayne Brewer

Continuity – Sue O'Halloran

Wardrobe Mistress – Francis Winter

Hair Design / Make Up - Nikki Jones, Rhiannon Doller,

Business Manager – Bob Petersen

Business Team - Richard Jones, Helen Page, Sue O'Halloran

Photography - Mike Morris

House Manager – Bob Petersen

House Staff – Members and Friends of Hilltop

Box Office – Brenda Slaughter