We made our way into London yesterday evening to watch Stephen Fry starring as Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Earnest”. It didn’t quite work out as planned, but I’ll get to that.
The Elizabeth line delivered us into the depths of the city during the late afternoon, and we had planned on nosing around Covent Garden for a little while - but the weather was so bitterly cold we dived into a cosy little Italian restaurant near the theatre, ordered a bottle of wine, and had a wonderful meal. It was interesting - we almost chose a huge chain cafe/restaurant across the way, but took a chance on the little family restaurant - and were glad we did.
After dinner we walked around the corner to the theatre - the Noel Coward theatre - booked our coats into the cloakroom, and then found our way through to “Lionel’s Bar” (named after Lionel Bart - the writer of Oliver!).
Along the way my other half spotted a paper notice pinned to the wall - “Stephen Fry will not be appearing in tonight’s performance”. She deflated like a party balloon. I felt so sorry for her - but then I suppose that’s the risk you take with live productions - there’s a reason for understudies.
While nursing our drinks in the bar, we people-watched the great and good of London theatre society. I recognised at least one journalist, and thought I might have recognised a well known actor too. I didn’t tell my other half because she goes nuts when I point out actors in shows she’s watching - “oh he was in this”, or “she was in that!”.
There were quite a lot of people in the bar that were there to be seen. One couple in particular made me smile - he was about fifty five with very expensive leather jacket, perfectly turned up jeans, and a floppy “Peaky Blinders” hat. She had a long cashmere coat, and a Stella McCartney handbag - carefully positioned so nobody could miss that it was a Stella McCartney handbag.
It’s worth noting that I knew nothing about “The Importance of Being Earnest” on the way in. I kept it that way on purpose. I knew my other half loved it - and loves most Oscar Wilde plays - but I hadn’t even thought about it before we sat down.
So. The curtains drew back, the lights came on, and Olly Alexander appeared half-naked playing a piano. Okaaay…
Suddenly it made sense why so many single-sex parties of friends were in the audience. I really am that slow on the uptake sometimes. A play written by Oscar Wilde, being performed the Noel Coward theatre. It adds up, doesn’t it.
It was interesting - watching the play through modern eyes - and recalling what I had read elsewhere about both Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward. Obviously the modern staging of the play ladled on the double meanings with an industrial loading shovel, but it was still fun to see the “unexpected” relationships form throughout.
Perhaps the stand-out actor of the entire performance for me was Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax - who shone, shocked, and disrupted the show seemingly at will. The set piece cake kiss between Miss Fairfax and Miss Cardew was brilliantly done, and helped put together the final jigsaw pieces in my head about what the play is really about - and why people return to it.
The Importance of Being Earnest isn’t just a play on words. The play - written during the Victorian era - is a scathing satire of the victorian hypocrisy and obsession with social appearances. That every character is living a lie - save for Lady Bagshaw, who seems only too ready to accept lies if they make the right impression - makes for some wonderful moments.
Given the comical aphrodisiac qualities the name “Earnest” has on upon Miss Fairfax throughout the play, the unveiling of the “true Earnest” in the final act, and her resulting explosive orgasm brought the house down.
After retrieving our coats we stepped back out into the cold evening air and began our journey home. My other half asked what I thought of the play, and I didn’t know how to answer her.
“You didn’t like it did you”
“It wasn’t that - it was just… a bit thin”
I know why too. Given the time it was written, authors questioning the status quo, or trying to push society forwards had to be very careful. It’s a paper thin plot, loaded with unwritten meaning, and unsaid sentiment. Experiencing it through modern eyes left me feeling a little bit empty. It could have been so much more - but of course it’s how it was written - through the lens of what could be said then.
Anyway.
A wonderful night out. A wonderful meal. A good play. And back home in time for a cup of hot chocolate, and bed.
I would still regard “Noises Off” as my favourite theatre performance of all time. We saw it with a stellar cast before it went to the West End. I won’t ruin it for you - I’ll leave it for you to find and experience for yourself.