Details

I Knew I Had a Brother - Such are the immortal words of Jack on discovering he is Algernon's brother in Oscar Wilde's, The Importance of Being Earnest. So far so recognised. But now imagine that Algernon is black and Jack is white. Then picture the scene transported from Victorian England to 50's Jamaica. Reggae versions of Land of Hope and Glory and An English Country Garden play softly in the background. Not a Wildean word has been changed, but the comedy is heightened and emphasised by this unique spin - the black nobs live in the fashionable town, and the white colonials in the country. Lady Bracknell is black, big and booming - giving the lie to those who say there are no new ways of delivering "A Handbag?" And as for white Cicily's remark that she "calls a spade a spade" and black Gwendolen's retort that she's "glad to say that I have never seen a spade", even Oscar can't have imagined how riotously funny that will be in this context. For those who wish to apply some gravitas to what is, in Wilde's own words "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People", well, what could be more levelling than all the final reconciliations which occur at the end of the play, and the unity of black and white in true brotherhood?

Cast/Performers

Joy Elias-Rilwan (Lady Bracknell)

Creatives/Company

Company: Live Culture Ltd