The Importance of Being Earnest
at Wakefield School

Reviewed on May 3, 2014

Madeleine Lucas
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fauquier

"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing." The cast of Wakefield School's The Importance of Being Earnest brought style and wit to the stage in Oscar Wilde's "trivial" and hilarious comedy.

The Importance of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde and premiered in London in 1895. The show was a great success; however scandal in Wilde's personal life caused the show to close after only 86 performances. The show has been revived many times and adapted to the screen on three occasions. A play which Wilde himself referred to as a "trivial" play "written by a butterfly for butterflies," The Importance of Being Earnest uses fantastic wit and marvelous characters to satirize the triviality of the Victorian way of life. The story centers around Jack, a young country gentleman who uses the guise of a misguided brother named Earnest to travel to town whenever he likes. Similarly, his friend Algernon uses a make-believe invalid friend, Bunbury to leave town whenever he likes. Chaos and hilarity ensue as each gentleman falls in love with women who swear they can only love a man by the name of Earnest.

A play that relies entirely on the execution of witty dialogue poses an immense challenge for high school actors. Lead Jack Worthing, played by Josh Mohney, handled the dialogue seamlessly. Mohney displayed excellent pacing and ability to play off his supporting cast. His facial expressions, complete with impressive mustache, added vibrancy and humor to his scenes and all his very physical reactions, from angry stamping to enthusiastic hugs, earned great responses from the audience.

Algernon, played by Patrick Moore, had great chemistry with Mohney. The duo handled Wilde's comedic banter with ease. Moore created many comic moments, timing his lines expertly with his constant consumption of English tea snacks. Moore also displayed impressive poise when a stinkbug flew into his ear in the middle of the second act, playing it off as a perfectly normal occurrence to have in a garden.

The character of Lady Bracknell was interestingly played by a male actor, Byron Bushara. Bushara brought an over-the-top, strong presence to the stage. His diction was impeccable despite the exaggerated British accent and every one of his lines was delivered with deliberate emphasis. He controlled the pacing of the last act, keeping the complicated wrap up to Wilde's comedy clear, but moving fluidly. Other standouts included the Butler, Lane, played by Alexander Mischel. He nailed the classic butler character, from the unfaltering posture to the dry one-liners, and he maximized his relatively short stage time to produce a very memorable character, gaining great responses from the audience while he was at it.

Despite some dropped lines and a few run-ins with some bugs, Wakefield School's cast of The Importance of Being Earnest paid homage to Wilde's acclaimed social satire.

Kyle Ebbets
Tuscarora
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fauquier

"Bunbury? He was quite exploded." Much like the unfortunate Mr. Bunbury, the audience quite often exploded as well…with laughter! The British farce entitled The Importance of Being Earnest was a comical success at Wakefield School.

The Importance of Being Earnest was written by playwright Oscar Wilde. It first performed at the St. James's Theatre in London on February 14th, 1895 and enjoyed 86 successful performances. The show is a farcical comedy about two men, Jack and Algernon, who take on fictitious personae in order to avoid unwanted or burdensome social obligations. However the boys run into trouble when they marry two different women under the same pseudonym. Since its original premiere, The Importance of Being Earnest has been revived three times on film; once in 1952, again in 1992, and finally in 2002.

As the play begins, the audience is first introduced to the witty bachelor Algernon Moncrieff, played by Patrick Moore. Moore's character developed continually and positively throughout the entire show, bettering his energy and comedic timing within each act. However Moore never failed to deliver his lines with varied linguistic intonation and articulation Moore's comedic acting was unmatched. Whether he was eating a muffin in the garden or talking to Jack in his Flat, he had the audience in a constant state of amusement. Jack and Algernon were able to successfully play off of each other's characters in order to create many comedic moments, which also shows their impeccable chemistry.

Jack Worthing, played by Josh Mohney, was a spectacular counterpart to the frivolous Algernon. Worthing posed the most consistent character in the show, demonstrating a physical and vocal energy that never faltered. Worthing was also able to keep the show moving at a pace desirable for a farce. He also possessed a strong and realistic British accent.

Lady Bracknell, played by Byron Bushara, commanded the stage with his presence. There was never a dry moment when Bushara was on stage. He masterfully conducted the hoity-toity role with ease. His dragged out speech added an extremely entertaining element to the character.

Eleanor Ligon exquisitely portrayed Gwendolen Fairfax as a fine young lady of the Victorian era. The way that she played hard to get in act one greatly added to the comedic aspect of the show. She also maintained a sisterly chemistry with Cecily in act three.

All in all, the cast as a whole was able to work together in order to produce an energetic and well paced show that truly helped the audience realize the importance of being earnest.

Ann Esmond
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Lies, laughter, and love; Wakefield School's performance of Oscar Wilde's beloved play The Importance of Being Earnest was an earnest devotion to comedy that left their audience roaring with laughter.

The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People was first performed in 1895, and was revered as the culmination of Wilde's successful artistic career. The play centers on Jack and Algernon, two young men who take on fictional personas in order to gain the affections of the women they court. Despite the indisputable success of the play upon its debut, it only saw 86 performances before Wilde's persecution in court shut the play down. Even so, Wilde's work has been revived many times, and continues to be enjoyed by the masses as a timeless masterpiece of comedy.

Wakefield's production of this classic did Wilde's original work justice, punctuating underlying humor and assuming British accents effectively. The chemistry between cast members was palpable, to the delight of Wakefield's audience. The intimate setting allowed for the audience to closely follow the, at times, confusing plot. While some characters seemed to struggle with remembering their myriad lines, others thought on their feet to maintain the flow of the production. Strong leads carried the production with believable reactions and strong character choices.

For example, Jack Worthing's (Josh Mohney) development as a character was notable, and his acting choices indicated an intimate understanding of his character's emotional growth and a mastery of comedic timing. His interactions with other characters were very believable, contributing to the legitimacy of Wilde's satire. Mohney's performance was nicely complimented by that of Algernon Moncreiff (Patrick Moore). Moore took every opportunity he had on stage to punctuate the humor of his character, and in turn the humor of the production. For example, Moore's witty adlibs took advantage of the presence of bugs on the set. Moore's adaptability served to contribute to his interactions with the entirety of the cast.

Lady Bracknell (Byron Bushara) provided comic relief through her over-the-top characterization and voice inflection. Bushara seamlessly succeeded in the difficult task of portraying a female role, and overall provided lighthearted fun and a deep understanding of his lines' meaning in the context of the time period. Another notable performance was the portrayal of Lane (Alexander Mischel). Despite his lack of stage time, Mischel's hilariously dry persona and perfect butler-esque posture stood out and served to enhance Moore's contradictory casual depiction.

Overall, Wakefield School's The Importance of Being Earnest successfully amused their audience, taking full advantage of Wilde's playful script. Comedic timing, dramatic character choices, and believable accents transported their audience to 19th century England, and delighted them with all the wit and satire Wilde's play has to offer.

Emilie Knudsen
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Fauquier Times

"I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays." This clever and witty play, The Importance of Being Earnest, graced Wakefield School's black box theatre. The critically acclaimed masterpiece by Oscar Wilde satirizes the triviality of the aristocratic lifestyle. Wilde even called the play "trivial", but at its center is the hilarious journey of one man finding his true identity and discovering the vitality of earnestness.

In 1895, the play opened in London, England on Valentine's Day. The premiere was a huge success, but, due to personal reasons on Wilde's part, The Importance of Being Earnest was closed after only 86 performances. It is in its legacy and revivals that The Importance of Being Earnest has true claim to fame. Throughout the 1940s and to the present day, Wilde's play has received much laud and great reception from viewers and theatregoers.

The play opens with Algernon Moncrieff, a gentleman in London who often finds himself going to the country to visit his invalid friend, Mr. Bunbury, whom he invented as an alibi. Similarly, Jack Worthing, a gentleman from the country who is good friends with Algernon, has a fictitious brother named Ernest that often brings him to town on ‘important business'. Pandemonium and hilarity are infused in this tale as the two men fall in love with women, women who both have a certain attraction to the name of Ernest.

Josh Mohney as Jack Worthing brought vivacity and goofiness to his role. As the lead, Mohney bore the brunt of the dialogue, stage time, and the story arc and he pulled through splendidly. Witty, quick on his feet, and always vocally projecting and enunciating, Mohney filled up the theatre with his stage presence. The audience greatly enjoyed his playful banter and ridiculous facial expressions, which easily earned him much laughter.

Winningly comedic and cleverly humorous, Patrick Moore as Algernon Moncrieff delivered a sensational performance. Whether it was eating all the cucumber sandwiches, or mocking other characters, or recovering from a real life stinkbug attack on stage, Moore was always on par and in character. His calm, cool, and collected persona coupled with outrageous humor and well-timed pacing crafted a believable and lively character.

With a stiff German accent, fitting physicality, and impeccable comedic timing, Byron Bushara was quite efficacious in his portrayal of Lady Bracknell. The unique, though not unheard of, casting choice gave Bushara an extra hurtle to leap, but also allowed him to stretch and play with his acting ability, an opportunity he took full advantage of and with great effect. The main cast of leads was aided by few supporting roles, but Alexander Mishcel as Lane was spectacular as the tight, unemotional butler Lane.

Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest offers its own set of obstacles for a high school cast. Despite jumbled lines with the added challenge of using accents, the cast at Wakefield School performed exceptionally and deserves much praise as they discovered the vital importance of being earnest.

Sophia Buono
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Middleburg Eccentric LLC.

What better way to enjoy two contrasting lifestyles than to create an alter-ego? Such an idea, however, can quickly spiral out of control, as seen in The Importance of Being Earnest, which Wakefield School performed this weekend. Wit and humor in several actors made the performance an enjoyable one, making laughter ripple throughout the audience.

Written by renowned British author Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest premiered in London in 1895. Though somewhat criticized at first for its satirical and frivolous nature, it is now widely considered Wilde's most successful play. Jack Worthing, a respectable gentleman, eagerly proposes to his sweetheart Gwendolyn Fairfax, but he cannot bring himself to tell her his secret—that he uses one name in the city and another in the countryside. Hilarious confusion ensues as Jack and his friend Algernon Moncrieff continue to manipulate their identities. The cast of Wakefield's production displayed personality and worked through mishaps to carry the show well.

Lead and supporting actors added a tasteful component to the show. Josh Mohney as Worthing grasped the stern yet eager character, especially in his believably heated reactions. Patrick Moore, playing the more playful part of Moncrieff, complemented Mohney with his comedic skill. From vocal intonation to muffin-eating, Moore made virtually every act of his amusing. Eleanor Ligon as Gwendolyn Fairfax also delivered multiple lines with a dramatic aura for comedic color. In addition, Byron Bushara boldly followed the modern custom of having a male play the uptight Lady Bracknell, and he impressively layered every word with a crooning accent. While there were some lapses in diction and some moments of stumbled lines, the core cast members used their focused acting skills to build a solid foundation for the production.

Featured actors also held their own very well. As an eighth grader, Alexander Mischel showed advanced skill in his poised persona of the butler, Lane. Pieter Bonin demonstrated the simple yet caring spirit of the parson Dr. Chasuble in his gentle and calming demeanor. Corinne Kleinman revealed the sentimental attitude of the tutor Miss Prism, particularly in Act III, when she helped unearth the shocking truth at the show's climax. In spite of moments that lacked consistent expression to create enough emotional interest, individual actors stood out that sufficiently supported the play.

The performance setup provided an intimate ambiance as well, for the set stood on level plane with the audience, close enough to forego the use of microphones. This setup created the illusion that the viewer was really sitting in Moncrieff's apartment or in Worthing's garden, observing the characters' personal conversations. Such an impression connected with audience members and encouraged their laughter throughout the show.

Although obstacles against fluency and expression confronted Wakefield's The Importance of Being Earnest, the cast combated these challenges with confident, witty actors in order to create an enjoyable show.

Ashleigh Walker
Tuscarora
Submitted for publication to Owl's Nest

"Hesitation of any kind is a sign of mental decay in the young, and physical weakness in the old," so I won't hesitate to say that The Wakefield School's production of The Importance of Being Earnest was one of the best high school performances I have had the privilege to watch. The Importance of Being Earnest, written by the illustrious Oscar Wilde, first premiered in London, at St. James' Theatre on February 14th, 1895. This play has been converted to the cinema on three different occasions, once in 1952, then again in 1992, and most recently in 2002. The plot revolves around the love lives of Jack Worthing and his best friend Algernon Moncrieff. Jack, a responsible young man from Hertfordshire, uses his estranged brother, Ernest, as his alibi and alias to escape from the duties of his estate and ward Cecily, to the city where he can seek the pleasures in life, one of which being his true love, Gwendolen Fairfax. While visiting his best friend Algernon, coincidentally Gwendolen's cousin, Jack reveals that he wishes to propose to Miss. Fairfax. He also confesses to Algernon that his name isn't actual Ernest. After hearing this news, Algernon, being the curious young man he is, travels to Jack's country estate, posing as the infamous "brother Ernest" to Jack's beautiful eighteen year old ward, Cecily Cardew. The two fall madly in love, however all plans are skewed when Jack returns home and Gwendolen makes an unexpected arrival. Chaos ensues when the two women confront the men with the question of who the real Ernest Worthing is. Wilde's satire on Victorian values is artfully and wittingly written, and the comedic dialogue makes it impossible for any actor to not receive spurts of laughter from the audience.

All the actors from Wakefield School did a fine job portraying the stereotypical roles of Victorian society, though it proved to be the males who stole the show. The character of Jack Worthing, played by Josh Mohney, was superb. He stayed in character throughout the play's entirety and did an excellent job in depicting the typical Victorian bachelor. He had great timing and emphasis of his lines that tremendously helped keep the play's pace running smoothly. Algernon Moncrieff was played by Patrick Moore. Patrick was the comedic genius of this play. Every line he delivered, and every movement he made, be it large or minuscule, was witty and showed his understanding of Wilde's satirical purpose behind the play. Moore constantly had the room packed with laughter by the smart character decisions he made. His constant eating and sarcastic rebuttals were hilarious and he was a true joy to watch perform.

Another character the stood out was the uptight, elaborate Lady Bracknell, played by Byron Bushara who was downright risible playing a female role. He made sure to enunciate every line with great intonation and expression to emphasize the satirical comedy. Alexander Mischel was another notable actor who did an excellent job portraying Algernon's typical Victorian butler. Mischel's timing was on point, and kept the pace of his scenes running smoothly. Though he was only in the first act, Alexander left a strong impression by his memorable performance. He recited each one of his lines with a purposefully detached voice that only made his lines more amusing.

The Wakefield School's production of The Importance of Being Earnest was superb. They not only executed a great performance, but managed to brilliantly show off Oscar Wilde's satirical views of trivial Victorian ways, in a manner that had the audience engaged and laughing throughout the entire performance.

Ben Fuhrmann
Tuscarora
Submitted for publication to Owl's Nest

"The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means." This simple quote from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest rings true for Wakefield School's rendition of the play. Wakefield School drew the audience in close with an intimate stage setup, allowing the crowd itself to become part of the drama that unfolded.

The Importance of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde and opened on February 14, 1895 to great and lasting critical acclaim. The show was shrouded in controversy due to Wilde's personal life, and although the play was well received, it was shut down after only 86 performances. Since Wilde's death in 1900, The Importance of Being Earnest has sparked innumerable revivals throughout the 1900's and the 2000's, solidifying its place as one of the great works of English fiction.

In this farcical story, two gentlemen from Victorian England lead double lives to escape the mundane activities that their regular selves must undergo. They each discover the other's false identity, and through the course of the play, don the name Ernest. Two women, the subject of their love, fall in love with the gentlemen primarily because their names are Ernest. Once the truth comes out about their identities, more secrets unfold, tying a clever and comical bow around the story for all involved.

Throughout the course of the play the characters of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, played by Josh Mohney and Patrick Moore, take a friendly yet adversarial stance toward one another as each mistakenly stands in the way of the other's happiness. Mohney and Moore pulled off this balancing act perfectly in their civil and antagonizing performances. The pair showed excellent chemistry onstage, and it was always a riot to watch the two work together. Each actor had a mastery of their considerably difficult and plentiful lines. They brought great pacing and excellent comedic timing to their performances, enticing jubilant laughter from the crowd.

Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference. With an up-close-and-personal setup like the one employed at Wakefield School, it is easy for the audience to see little additions that actors make. Mohney and Moore both did a fantastic job taking advantage of this. Moore's incessant eating, and the wordless arguments the duo had behind the backs of the women throughout the show both brought a sense of realism and humor strengthening the scenes overall.

The cast as a whole did their best to make things interesting whether in dialogue or not. This is especially true in the case of Byron Bushara (Lady Bracknell). Seeing a male play a woman of this nature is in itself quite comical, however Bushara took things a step further with his over-the-top pacing and intonation. Bushara also excelled at keeping the pacing steady, never rushing through his lines and always making sure to be understood, an aspect that was crucial in a play so quick and witty.

Not everything was terrific about Wakefield School's production. There were a few dropped lines that took a visible toll on the actor's performances, thus drawing from the realism and pace. However these moments were quickly forgotten as the comical elements shined through once again.

All in all Wakefield School put on an entertaining and enjoyable performance that left the audience smiling.