The art of epigram: University Theatre presents Oscar Wilde's epic comedy
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Life & Style
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."
"'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."
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