THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

The latest reinvention of Oscar Wilde’s perennial satire on the absurdity of high society is given a sexy makeover by Fingal O’Flahertie productions at the suitably risqué Bordello Theatre.

The production will look at the hidden desires of Wilde’s characters and delve into their fetish lives, played out through exquisite costuming and perfected comic timing.

Producer Dave Woodland who also plays the ‘earnest’ Jack Worthing says they are extending themes such as Wilde’s trivialisation of serious matters like marriage, in this production which was performed for sell-out audiences in Balmain and The Rocks two years ago.

“It’s really not that hard to sexy this play up,” he says.

“Jack is the one that’s hiding the most. There are lots of double entendres in the script, the majority are done here through costume and the delivery of certain lines.”

This time the talented cast and crew can go all the way with a bigger budget and fantastic costuming by Woodland’s wife and co-producer Tina, who is designing 21 outfits for the show.

For sceptical Wilde fans, Woodland assures the production won’t be crass: “It’s tasteful, but very seductive as well.” (MH)

Jun 12-29, Bordello Theatre, The Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross, $30, theimportanceofbeingearnest.com.au