On Sept. 26, John Brown University’s Music and Theatre Department opened their production of Oscar Wilde’s well-known classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
A delightful show full of wit and humor, the story follows two young men who lead double lives to escape their mundane societal expectations; however, they run into complications when they each take on the name of Ernest to be with the women they love. In the course of three acts, the men attempt to win the affection of their loved ones as well as resolve any misunderstandings they’d caused.
Though many found the play to be wonderful and delightful, some students found the language difficult to follow and understand. The playwright, Oscar Wilde, is well known for his masterful use of words; however, since the play was written in the late 1800s, the English used then can be challenging for modern audiences.
Jenna Perea, who played the role of Cecily Cardew, commented on Wilde’s language.
“It’s so witty. So you want to perfectly deliver every single line. But it’s also just so different from the culture that we’re in currently. So, you really need to step into it and see what their thought process is,” she said.
Because Wilde’s plays rely heavily on dialogue, the production team chose a static set for each act, allowing for the characters’ words to tell the story rather than the setting.
Mayson Montgomery, who played Gwendolen Fairfax, said, “Everything going on around the set is so outlandish that it makes sense to give the audience something to ground themselves on.”
Montgomery shared that while studying abroad over the summer, she was able to see the play done in Ireland, where Wilde was originally from. She said it was a realistic take that felt stressful and chaotic, and the experience helped her bring a deeper understanding to her role in the JBU production.
Presented during Homecoming weekend, JBU’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” offered students, alumni and families a joyful start to the theatre season.