THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST A REVIEW

Anyone who thinks that Oscar Wild's 1895 comedy "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST" is a musty old relic should not even think of missing the enchanting new production that has come here from Stratford Ontario where it received rave reviews and did landoffice business at last year's annual theatre festival.
This classic comedy of manners has been given a superlative new staging by the great classical actor Brian Bedford that plays the still witty comedy seriously, never camping it up, and in doing so has made an aging play as freshly funny as any new comedy could hope to be.
The play was originally done as a farce but is now a stylish romp and the acting company seems to be having a blast performing it. Mr Bedford [in a gender switch] takes the role of the rich and crusty Lady Bracknell playing it straight [ never campy] and delivering a classic comic performance and the rest of the cast is nothing short of superb.
The settings and costumes by Desmond Heeley are stunningly handsome and Duane Schuler's lighting is just right.
Summing up, this production of"THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST" is a pleasure to see and hear, and offers as enchanting an evening as this theatre-lover has had in too long a time. Go see it.
AT THE AMERICAN AIRLINES THEATRE 227 WEST 42nd STREET N.Y.C. THRU JULY 3rd.