Word: algernon
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...events from a distance of over 50 years, has a memory that is deeply riddled, resulting in many contradictory versions of unlikely events and the curious melding of the play’s plot and dialogue with that of The Importance of Being Earnest, in which Carr played Algernon in a production mounted by James Joyce...
Despite its paper-thin plot, implausible coincidences, and unbelievable ending, The Importance of Being Earnest remains one of the most original and razor sharp plays ever written. Located firmly in the Victorian era, the story revolves around the caddish Algernon Moncrieff (Kent French) and his friend John Worthing (G. Zachariah White). As both men independently undertake a harmless deception, their "bunburying" turns into a major misunderstanding and leads to a first-rate satire of the English class structure. However, as valiantly as the performers try to do Wilde's words justice, the overall acting can often best be described...
...When their deceptive schemes of John and Algy collide, a series of crises ensue, crises that threaten to spoil their romantic intentions-Jack for Gwendolen Fairfax and Algernon for his intended bride Cecily Cardew. Of the younger female interpretations, Lauren Waisbren gives the role of Cecily Cardew, Worthing's ward, a more ditzy than shrewd rendering, though her phrasing, timing and diction are all impeccable. As her mirrored comrade (and adversary, depending on the scene) Gwendolen, Jennifer Moxin puts her considerable comic vitality to fine work here in what is sometimes mildly bizarre exaggeration, sometimes farcical explosiveness. These two work...
...their admirers, French and White take the play for some comic turns of their own. As Algernon, French is all dimples and craftily employed myopia thanks to a character who is the essence of flippancy and casual verve. White, on the other hand, is forced into an uneasy and far stuffier portrayal, which makes his comedic tasks that much more difficult. Fortunately, both these actors have the requisite skills that enable them to extract some of the heartiest laughter of the entire production...
...Importance of Being Earnest is essentially a man's play. It's a story about how two men, Algernon Moncrief and John Worthing, cross back and forth into real and unreal selves through playing the part of Ernest to win the love of the women they wish to marry. The female characters, except for the singularly (and in this case, literally) masculine Lady Bracknell--perhaps a little too enthusiastically portrayed by Cary McClelland '02 (his rasping, high pitched voice is at times over the top)--are lackluster characters. Certainly, Wilde blessed them with a number of witticisms...