The art of epigram: University Theatre presents Oscar Wilde's epic comedy

By: Anna Nguyen

Posted: 2/27/08

Originally billed as "A Trivial Play for Serious People," Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," will open at the University Theatre Friday. Set in England during the Victorian era, the play is about manners and the seriousness of society.

"'The Importance of Being Earnest,'" is one of the all-time brilliant comedies in dramatic literature," said director Mavourneen Dwyer. "As in many romantic and farcical comedies, the plot revolves around lovers and mistaken identities.

"In the end, all truths are revealed and the loves are reunited happily. But if that was all the play consisted of, it wouldn't have lasted till the present day. The text is full of witty epigrams and repartee that the audience has to listen for carefully. One's attention is always drawn to Wilde's precision of language in the play rather than to the pure comedy of the situation," she said.

The play is also a case of mistaken identity, said Derek Kolluri, a second-year Master of Fine Arts student who plays John ("Jack") Worthing.

"It's about two friends who live two lives in the city and the country to escape life, and to create people they pretend to be," Kolluri said.

The use of speech is an important feature in Wilde's play, much to the delight of Dwyer, who is a professor of voice and speech.

"Text and handling of [voice and speech] is my teaching specialty," she said. "Including [the play] in a university acting program gives the acting students a chance to use language as weapon and as a means of enjoyment, something very few of us do nowadays.

"A play that relies so much on witty epigrams and dialogue is a huge treat for me," Dwyer said.

The cast had to learn how to speak effectively with English accents, using special exercises in their pre-show warm-ups before every performance to check their accents, Dwyer said.

"Rehearsals began six weeks ago on Jan. 22," she said. "We always need an extra two weeks of rehearsals when we're doing 'language plays.' [The actors] must learn how to articulate long phrases."

They must also acquire the breath control to handle big speeches, as well as the physical decorum of a more formal period, Dwyer said. The costumes designed for the 1890s era were constructed by costume and makeup designer Pat Martin.

"There are a lot of details in creating [the costumes]," said Martin, who began constructing the costumes Jan. 28. To recreate the silhouette of the Victorian society, the costumes include mutton sleeves, corsets, coats, gloves and hats.

"[During this period], women take up a significant amount of space," said Martin, also noting that the space restrictions also represent the relationship between men and women. The corsets represent movement, limiting what the women can and cannot do. Despite the constraints, the women knew how to move, she said.

The costumes are sent to the dress rehearsals for the actors to learn how to move gracefully in them, Martin said.

"The clothes are amazingly fun," said Molly Fonseca, a second-year MFA student who plays Gwendolyn, a girl obsessed with marrying a man whose name is Ernest. "[The play] is beautiful, visually stunning."

The wardrobe also reflects the settings of the play, juxtaposing the brighter colored wardrobe of the country to the muted, darker city clothes, Martin said.

The play is a nice change of pace from previous dramatic plays, Kolluri said.

"It's a great example of theater entertainment and artifact," he said.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" debuts at 8 p.m. Friday at the University Theatre. It will also be shown at 8 p.m. March 1 and 5 to 8 and at 2 p.m. March 2 and 9.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $5 for faculty, staff and seniors. UA students can attend free on Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday, or pay $3 on Friday and Saturday.