Is it really that important to be Earnest? In ‘earnest’ I sit here, hoping for some of Wilde’s wit, anticipating some Victorian drama, and looking forward to Trinity Hall’s Preston Society performance of The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by second year English student Mary Flanagan. Will she be able to deliver the magic of Wilde, offer the wit of his reputation, and create a production that he would have been proud of?

“Directing this play has been a highlight of my term,” she tells me, explaining her enjoyment of the directing process and how her visions have evolved. With ease, it seems, she has envisioned a play that moves its audience from light-hearted tones of comic misunderstanding and confusion, to moods of romance, and back again to laughter in what promises to be a fantastic rendition of Wilde’s play. 

“Directing this play has been a highlight of my term”

The set is undergoing preparation and creation as she takes me through the garages beneath the college, showing me her plans for the backdrop and accompanying props she plans to use, taking me through, step-by-step, how scene changes will work. The immense detail and accurate planning that has gone into  this production promise to offer a successful performance. With a set being painted especially for this performance, I see many crew members hard at work, alongside volunteers, painting and drawing meticulous patterns into the backdrop to enable true recreation of Wilde’s world for the audience to experience too. 

Whether or not formerly acquainted with this particular play – due to its many previous performances over the years – or familiar with Wilde himself, the audience are sure to be able to access the essence of his characters and experience the comedy of his creation to the full. As for those who have foreknowledge of his work, the amount of detail that has gone into decisions behind set, cast, costumes and props will surely offer immense additional enjoyment. Taken, adapted and directed through the lens of an English student, herself a lover of Wilde’s work, Mary has infused a passion of her own into this performance that really does offer to make it stand out amongst others.

Review: Arden of Faversham

This year marks the revival of the Preston Society at Trinity Hall, and, as a collegiate society, it offers the opportunity for “anyone to get involved with theatre, regardless of experience”, Mary says to me, and as I meet the cast I cannot ignore their excitement and commitment to the production.

The cast seem dedicated to delivering her high expectations and offering their very best performances. “The attitudes and enthusiasm of the people I’ve worked with have allowed me to stick to my main goal – keeping rehearsals a fun experience for everyone involved,” Mary says of her cast and crew. “Through the joy we’ve found in the rehearsal process and our trust of each other, we have also been able to produce something I’m very proud of, and reveal the perhaps previously hidden talents of Tit-Hall students!”

“We reveal the perhaps previously hidden talents of Tit-Hall students!”

With such a cleverly-designed set to economise on space, a fun and creative cast, and an imaginative director, this show really does promise to take you on a ‘Wilde’ tour through Victorian England, and through Wilde’s witty imagination! Immerse yourself in the fantastic world that Trinity Hall lecture theatre offers to create for you this Friday and Saturday evening and step backwards in time to experience a little fun, a little Victorianism, and a lot of comedy to relieve you from the final stresses of the Week 8 world outside.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs from Fri 10th - Sat 11th March at Trinity Hall Lecture Theatre, 7:30pm