It might date back all of 130 years but Llangollen Twenty Club are managing to breathe new life into Oscar Wilde's famous comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest.
First performed in 1895 at the St James Theatre in London, the play depicts the tangled affairs of two young men about town who lead double lives to evade unwanted social obligations, both assuming the name Ernest while wooing the two young women of their affections.
At Llangollen Town Hall this week Mat Oswald-Haggett plays Jack Worthing, bringing to bear the talented versatility that has made him a Twenty Club favourite over a number of years with solid performances such as the eponymous Blackadder back in 2019.
Club newbie Tom Cutler wears the part of Jack's friend Algernon Moncrieff like a well-cut Saville Row suit while another debutante, Darcy Badwick, makes a perfectly balanced Gwendolen Fairfax, love interest of Jack.
Fresh from her portrayal of a rather naughty French waitress in the Club's 'Allo 'Allo last year Jessica Fidler does a great job as Cecily Cardew, Jack Worthing’s ward.
Emily Swindley, another stalwart of many Club productions, creates a formidable Lady Bracknell, aunt to Algernon, and delivers that famous line about a handbag in deliciously haughty style.
Hilary Woodward, who was in both 'Allo 'Allo and Bad Girls for Llangollen Operatic, transfers her obvious skills well to the role of Miss Prism, governess to Cecily.
We last saw him on stage as an excellent Rene in 'Allo 'Allo and now Chris Williams is every bit as good as he returns as Lane, manservant to Algernon.
No stranger to local productions himself, Mike Connolly is a suitably deferential Merriman, butler to Jack.
Another Club first-timer, Malcolm Graham, plays the Rev Canon Chasuble, Rector of Woolton, with a pompously ecclesiastical touch.
Taking the helm as director is Ian Wright, assisted by Lizzie Clifford, and joint producers are Bev Maier and Helen Belton.
They, along with a behind-the-scenes team comprising Steve Hughes, Malcolm Potter, Kevin Williams, Naomi Riley and others, are doing a fantastic job of welding together this stylish and highly enjoyable production.
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