[The Importance of Being Earnest] is exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy, and it has its own philosophy... that we treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.
- Ivan Heng quotes Oscar Wilde in his Artistic Director's Message for the programme booklet
When I heard that Wild Rice was going to do an all-male staging of The Importance of Being Earnest, I was intrigued and hesitant. I love Oscar Wilde but I hate productions that take too much liberty with original texts and intentions.
Still, there was a free ticket thanks to bridezilla, and I do like Brendon Fernandez very much. So I went. And it was great fun. After the show, I was wondering to myself whether Glen Goei's idea of an all-male, non-cross dressing cast worked. But since I laughed so much, it worked for me whether it worked or not.
It's actually a very interesting concept. Wardrobe was practically a role by itself. While all of them were in suits, there were characteristics to each outfit that clearly defined the traits of the wearer.
(image from wild rice facebook group)
The first act was the best of it, followed by the muffin tiff in Act Two. Chua Enlai as Gwendolen and Ivan Heng as Lady Bracknell were absolutely hilarious, while Ivan Heng and Brendon Fernandez had the best costumes. Frederick Lee designed all the suits and divine would be the best description for them. I can't find any more images so you'll just have to catch the production to see for yourself.
Runs till 11 April, details here.
- Ivan Heng quotes Oscar Wilde in his Artistic Director's Message for the programme booklet
When I heard that Wild Rice was going to do an all-male staging of The Importance of Being Earnest, I was intrigued and hesitant. I love Oscar Wilde but I hate productions that take too much liberty with original texts and intentions.
Still, there was a free ticket thanks to bridezilla, and I do like Brendon Fernandez very much. So I went. And it was great fun. After the show, I was wondering to myself whether Glen Goei's idea of an all-male, non-cross dressing cast worked. But since I laughed so much, it worked for me whether it worked or not.
It's actually a very interesting concept. Wardrobe was practically a role by itself. While all of them were in suits, there were characteristics to each outfit that clearly defined the traits of the wearer.
(image from wild rice facebook group)
The first act was the best of it, followed by the muffin tiff in Act Two. Chua Enlai as Gwendolen and Ivan Heng as Lady Bracknell were absolutely hilarious, while Ivan Heng and Brendon Fernandez had the best costumes. Frederick Lee designed all the suits and divine would be the best description for them. I can't find any more images so you'll just have to catch the production to see for yourself.
Runs till 11 April, details here.
