The Importance of Longford connections for ALT

Longford theatre fans may be tempted to cross the border into Westmeath for a theatre experience that will feature a couple of their own.

Athlone Little Theatre opens its new season with Oscar Wilde’s timeless comedy classic ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ with a twist from August 30 to September 6 next.

Subtitled ‘A Trivial Comedy for Serious People’ the play is a farce which serves as a cynical critique of the social manners of the English upper classes.

Wilde’s writing style employs witty epigrams where the characters are constantly contradicting themselves. It pokes fun at the rules of engagement in which the well-heeled aristocracy circulated and to which he himself ultimately fell victim.

The plot concerns Jack Worthing who lives in a country estate where he is guardian to his ward, Cecily Cardew. However, Jack is in love with London socialite Gwendolen Fairfax, the daughter of Lord and Lady Bracknell. In order to escape his responsibilities in the country, Jack invents an imaginary brother, Ernest, whom he must attend to. This double life fascinates his friend Algernon who pursues his own romantic goals leading to mayhem and confusion.

Add in the vicar, the governess and the butler, and you have a clever mix of flamboyant characters leading to a revealing climax.

The play premiered in London on 14th February, 1895 and while it is set against a Victorian backdrop, director Joe MacCarrick has taken the initiative to bring it into the 1920s without affecting the script.

“I think this play sits well in a ‘20s setting even though the ideals of the Victorian era were in decline,” said Joe. “The social etiquette of the upper classes was still at play in the roaring twenties as in previous decades and possibly, even today”.

“The cast have been in rehearsal over the summer months in preparation for this much anticipated production,“ he adds.

Complete with art deco design, flapper dresses and gramophones, this production is sure to get the season off to a flying start.

Playing Jack is newcomer Daniel Murray from Tullamore. A member of Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society, Daniel has acting and directing credits to his name. Gwendolen is played by Katherine Wheatley who was last seen on the Athlone stage as Honey in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’

After a long absence, Paul Slevin makes a welcome return to the stage as the mischievous Algernon, while Athlone’s Claire Lemass takes on the role of Cecily. Claire appeared locally in Kiltoom’s recent production of ‘The Far Off Hills’.

Another newcomer, and one of the Longford connections, is Joe Brady from Lanesboro who along with Edel Moriarty, Ray Kelly and Brian Foy play the very important supporting roles.

But the big question is: Who is playing Lady Bracknell? Maybe, that’s something Inspector Poirot could answer!

Meanwhile, set construction and design is by Tom O’Neill. Costumes are designed and created by Joanna Grobosz. Stage manager is another name familiar to the Longford drama circles, Michelle Kelly who is ably assisted by Ronan McGrane and Doreen Holloway as assistant stage managers.

Light and sound are designed and operated by Paddy Martin and John Allen.

Booking is now open at www.athlonelittletheatre.ie

Now is your chance to secure your seat so don’t be disappointed. After all, to lose one opportunity is unfortunate, but to lose two sounds like carelessness!