To find out more about Cottenham Theatre Workshop click here.   Home About C.T.W. Photos Past Shows Links   There is no end to the nerve and ambition of Cottenham Theatre Workshop! This year they chose one of the best known plays in the English language, played by countless top actors and made into a famous film. The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde was written over a hundred years ago. Yet its plot, its characters and its dialogue are as fresh and as engaging as ever. It might be easy to think that such a great play would be ideal for amateur companies. But nothing could be further from the truth. Such a brittle, fragile play could be disastrous in a mediocre production. It needs speed, energy and sparkle. And Cottenham Theatre Workshop provided these in spades. Much credit must go to the director, Nadia Young, for inspiring such a professional production. The fact that the play went so smoothly, that we were unaware of the authority behind it, that her direction was unobtrusive, is a genuine compliment to her. The actors were greatly helped by excellent sets, constructed and painted, as is the tradition with CTW, by members of the cast. The scenery gave a real flavour of upper class life at the end of the 19th century. At the moment we are blessed with an excellent bunch of young actors. Simon Gibbons was just right as the irresponsible, fun-loving, infuriating Algernon, and Ian Nunn was a perfect foil to him as the over serious, selfimportant Jack. And the two young ladies, Amy Cairns as Gwendoline and Claire Harrison as Cecily were a delight, displaying their characters’ vivacity, playful flirtation and confusing attitudes to the young men. The scenes with these four characters reminded me of the young lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They all four set a very high standard in their diction, movement and total involvement in their characters. Of course when I heard they were planning to put on this play, I knew who would be Lady Bracknell, and Sue Macdonald did not disappoint! With her imperious manner, her lofty and often illogical sentiments, she made this famous part her own. The other two older parts are much less rewarding to play. John Unwin must be congratulated on not overdoing the tricky part of the vicar. It is a little sad that on the stage the vicar is often seen as a figure of fun. The rector was in the audience on the night I went, and I have not dared to ask him what he thought! Hazel Harrison was excellent in the difficult part of the aging spinster Miss Prism. It is this nervy, frustrated, confused woman who is the catalyst to the action of the play, and Hazel is to be praised for steering the part so skillfully away from ridicule. As always the minor parts of the servants were competently played, and it is good to see former stars prepared to take on smaller roles. In all this was a delightful, highly entertaining evening and we should all be pleased and proud to have such a professional theatre company in the village. Jasper Kay Originally published in the Cottenham Newsletter. Reproduced in full with permission. Web site created and maintained by Paul Redman. Last updated: 7 April 2007