Review: The Importance of Being Earnest, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Words: Angela Ferguson / Photos: WAC & Storyhouse

This summer we got to soak up the spectacle that is Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in more ways than one.

It was a magical August evening when we returned to the park to watch Oscar Wilde’s comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.

The talented cast were superb in bringing Wilde’s story about leading a double life against a backdrop of ‘polite’ Victorian society to life.

As ever, they demonstrated just how ridiculously talented they all are, juggling acting with playing an array of musical instruments to provide a truly immersive experience.

And on the night we went along to watch there was another would-be cast member trying – but failing – to upstage the actors – the summer rain.

The attention-seeking weather front could have put a damper on proceedings but the warmth and wit of the cast transformed it into a truly special and unique shared experience.

There were brilliant rain-themed ad libs to add to the comical characterisations at the heart of this classic play, described by Wilde as a “serious comedy for trivial people”.

The play looks at the experiences of country gentleman, Jack Worthing and the cynical and worldly Algernon, who both lead double lives when they become ‘Ernest’.

Watching the cast, including James Sheldon (John [Jack] Worthing), Lucas Button (Algernon) and Yolanda Ovide (Cecily) exchanging witty quips and knowing looks while being soaked by the constant downpour added to the spectacle.

The performance was an immersive experience anyway, with audience members brought into the drama at times, to much amusement, but this took it to a different level.

There was uproarious laughter as it felt like we were all in it together, sharing the joys of theatre in our glorious park and the great British summer.

Some of us may have left the theatre rather soggier than when we first entered, but it made for a hugely memorable night – and a welcome escape from our day-to-day lives.

And it was a welcome reminder of just why theatre is so powerful.

You just never quite know what to expect – and that is all part of the thrill.

It was a much-needed tonic.

And as we dried off back home and chatted about our evening we knew it was one that we would always treasure.

Well done to all those behind these epic productions in the park, including the staff and volunteers from Storyhouse.

We’re so blessed to have such theatre in Chester, complementing all of the other talented local theatre companies in and around the city.

Grosvenor Park Open Theatre comes to an end on Sunday, 1 September, with The Importance of Being Earnest the final show.

We’d highly recommend a visit before it ends.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐