SUTCo’s The Importance of Being Earnest – 20 November 2024, Library Theatre

Review by Claire Taranaski.

Last night SUTCo confirmed their place as one of Sheffield’s finest student theatre companies with a production and performances all that would make Oscar Wilde proud and if you didn’t know differently would make you think you were seeing a professional production.

First performed in 1895 and still as relevant today the comedic farce tells the story of two gentleman and their alter egos in both the town and the city and what happens when they fall in love with two women and their tangled comedic webs spin out of control.

The best performance in a show of excellent performances came from Toma Hoffman as Algernon Moncrieff who in a performance that made me think of actor Dominic Cooper combined incredible stage presence, confidence, arrogance and charm whilst remaining thoroughly likeable. I can’t imagine a better performance of this role.

Opposite him as his friend and rival was Luke Hookham as Jack Worthing, who had a young Hugh Grant style charm and natural appeal about his performance and had superb chemistry with Tom (if they are not good friends off stage I will be shocked).

Tom and Luke also had incredible flirtatious chemistry with their love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax played by Chantelle Winder and Cecily Cardew played by Eden Houlberg. Chantelle’s performance was reminiscent of a turn of the century British Bernadette Rostenkowski whilst Eden performance was full of delightful glee and youthful knowing and imaginative.

Other cast members who deserve a special mention are Jessica Ansbro as Jack’s aunt Lady Bracknall and Caitlin Wood as Miss Prism who were at their finest in the classic Miss Marple reveal scene. Caitlin also like all of the on set chemistry already mentioned had superb chemistry with her love interest Reverend Canon Chasuble, who most also be praised for keeping up his high voice throughout.

Last but not least I must mention Alex Mackie as both servants Lane and Merriman. Alex played both roles with knowing professionalism and I only wish we had seen more of them on stage alongside Tom Hoffman. Our wish is that these two do a two person show of Jeeves and Wooster as based on this production they would be superb and give Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie a run for their money.

Of course a show is not just it’s cast and with talent of the production team this show was fill of hilarious moments that will stay with me for a long time from the argument and fight between Gwendolen and Cecily to the muffin chase around the audience and one of the best encore’s I have seen in non musical theatre.

Playing at the Library Theatre until Friday 22 November, this production should not be missed by fans old and new of Oscar Wilde who long to escape the cold with some superb theatre comedy.