It's daunting to stage a play as famous as The Importance of Being Earnest, according to Noel McDonough. "People can quote the lines and they have a definitive version of the play," he said on the opening night in Liberty Hall Theatre this week. His direction of the play coincides with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Oscar Wilde's birth.
The occasion is something of a nostalgia trip for Glynis Casson, who is again playing the part of Lady Bracknell, 40 years after playing the same part in an Aer Lingus Dramatic Society production. "It's nice to grow into something," she said. Her sister Bronwen Casson is the production designer.
Terry Martin, who now plays Dr Chasuble, played Algernon in thate same version of 40 years ago. Deirdre Purcell, who had to give up the part of Cecily in the Aer Lingus production after being asked to join the Abbey Theatre acting company was in the audience. "Aer Lingus were very gracious about it," she joked.
"I'd love to be in it," said Una Crawford O'Brien. She and her on-screen daughter Una Kavanagh turned up to watch their Fair City colleagues Joe Cassidy and Glynis Casson.
"It's not about today. You have to let yourself be transported back in time," said Marty Whelan, who was there with his daughter Jessica. The artistic director of Dublin theatre company Calypso, Bairbre Ní Chaoimh, was also present.