Lady Bracknell...a force to be reckoned with in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. But what is her real story? This is something that December Hall Actors Theatre and writer, director, and performer Paul Doust explores in such immense detail that Lady Bracknell becomes more than just Algernon Moncreiff's aunt and Gwendolyn's mother. She becomes someone that the majority of people can relate to on more levels as a human being, using the inspiration and magic of Wilde's writing.
Doust intricately pieces the clues together like a detective
The first thing we notice when we first enter the theatre is a simple set of a table clothed table and chair in luxurious velvet turquoise. On the table is the most exquisite bunch of flowers and a sophisticated glass and decanter set. The combination of these props and set create the lavish lifestyle Bracknell is used to, yet keeps everything focused on the one thing she loves to talk about: herself. We also hear in the beginning of the play the last few lines of The Importance of Being Earnest when the titular role realises his importance. However, the mood immediately changes when Doust slowly enters as Bracknell, commanding your attention in silence until she is ready to speak. What then emerges is an extremely powerful exploration of how Bracknell came to be, shared in an extremely candid, frank and hilariously charming way that pays homage to Wilde himself.
Doust intricately pieces the clues together like a detective to discover Bracknell's humble beginnings, all from a specific clue in the original play in which she says quite clearly that she was not wealthy before she got married. So, why not make her a child who was poor yet full of ambition, with parents who didn't pay much attention to her? An extremely poignant line of note here is what Bracknell says after she reveals that she found loneliness freeing: "To show you care is weak!" This is said with such strength and suppressed emotion that you begin to wonder how much her mental health has really been impacted.
Doust then takes us into a world of entertainment when Bracknell finds herself as a stage manager of a local theatre, toying with the idea of acting too, then meeting Lord Bracknell her future husband. Interestingly, the angle she takes before accepting his proposal is that she wants to enjoy the fantasy before the reality hits. This bold choice shows for a brief moment yet again the state of Bracknell's mind over time as it becomes fragile and an escapist of reality which Doust portrays so well, whilst staying true to the original character's observational quick wit.
What Doust does so well in particular is weave an intricate web of deceit, doppelgängers and how she really knows Mr Thomas James Cardew... I however am not going to give this away, as to really get to know Bracknell, you are cordially invited to take tea and cucumber sandwiches as you have the honour of meeting her.
Doust's performance of Bracknell is reminiscent of David Suchet's version from 2015 and is a masterclass in writing, performance and wit. This is definitely to be experienced to be believed.
