Leanne Bernard's Masterful Lady Bracknell Is the Star of Stone Soup Theatre Company's Rendition of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest
This review was published by Triangle Review on 27 February 2025.
Despite the winter storm that threatened to derail opening night on Friday, Feb. 21st, Stone Soup Theatre Company's production of The Importance of Being Earnest, produced by Melissa S. Craib Dombrowski and directed by Lily Vance, proceeded last weekend at Chapel Hill's Honeysuckle Tea House, a Japanese-style tea house tucked in the woods. The Honeysuckle Tea House is a romantic and cozy space, particularly during winter, when it's enclosed with see-through plastic panels and warmed by space heaters.
The venue, which only seats about 50 people, amplifies the charm of the production, making it feel as if the audience is actually in the drawing room or courtyard of the characters' world. This proximity enhances the warm affection of Oscar Wilde's sharp wit and high drama, even as the chill of the winter night lingers outside the tea room.
Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is subtitled as "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People." Indeed, it is a biting satire of the vanity, hypocrisy, and eccentricities of Victorian high society. First performed in 1895, the play centers around two men, Algernon Moncrieff (played by Joe Nussbaum) and Jack Worthing (Reid Harding Cater), who live double lives in order to escape their social obligations. Both men adopt the name "Ernest" to woo their respective love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax (Meredyth "Molly" Albright) and Cecily Cardew(Georgia Bean), leading to a whirlwind of mistaken identities, tangled relationships and, of course, Wilde's trademark acerbic humor.
"I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact.”
………………………—Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest
One of the most striking features of the play is its emphasis on dialogue. With relatively few physical movements and a plot that relies heavily on wit and verbal sparring, The Importance of Being Earnest places a great demand on its cast to deliver Wilde's rapid-fire banter with precision. Stone Soup's cast largely rises to the challenge.
Reid Harding Cater delivers a laughable and relatable portrayal of the bumbling Jack Worthing, and Joe Nussbaum's Algernon Moncrieff is self-assured, though he could take this main character's charisma and vocal projection up a notch.
Among the supporting characters, John Adams as Dr. Chasuble, the local minister, offers a subdued portrayal, though his performance feels at times a little too restrained, given the flamboyant nature of Wilde's dialogue. Cecilia Lindgren is adequate as Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, who harbors a comically unrequited love for Dr. Chasuble. And "The King Teen" shines in his brief but memorable appearances as the servants Lane and Merriman, whose deadpan deliveries add a nice touch of humor to the proceedings.
However, the true standouts of the production are the leading ladies. Meredith "Molly" Albright brings delightful melodrama to Worthing's love interest, Gwendolen Fairfax, portraying Fairfax's self-absorbed mannerisms with flair that elicits laughter from the audience.
Georgia Bean's portrayal of Cecily Cardew is equally compelling. As the young, naïve ward of Jack Worthing, Cecily falls for Algernon's charms without fully understanding the complications of his deceit. Bean's portrayal of Cecily's innocent and theatrical nature is spot-on, her wide-eyed expressions and enthusiasm bringing an extra layer of humor to her character. Her performance adds a youthful energy to the show, offering a delightful contrast to the more jaded adults.
The star of the production is Leanne Bernard as Lady Bracknell. Bernard commands attention the moment that she steps on stage. Her Lady Bracknell is a force to be reckoned with -- ruthlessly arrogant, bitingly witty, and always demanding respect. Bernard's performance is a masterclass in comedic timing, and her use of facial expressions, vocal inflection, and body language ensures that every line that she delivers lands with precision. Her take on Lady Bracknell's ridiculous hauteur is simultaneously intimidating and hilarious; and she projects her lines with perfection, which is no surprise given her background in voice instruction and music direction.
In sum, Stone Soup Theatre Company's Feb. 21-March 2 presentation of The Importance of Being Earnest is a production worth seeing. Oscar Wilde's sharp critique of Victorian society is as relevant and funny today as it was in 1895. If you've never experienced The Importance of Being Earnest, this is your opportunity to see it in a charming, unconventional setting. The production is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a few of the play's iconic lines ringing in your ears.
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