An undisputed classic by Oscar Wilde, "Earnest" was originally produced and performed shortly before the trial which ended Wilde's career, his social standing, and his life. This was the second production of this play at Le Petit (both directed by Stocker Fontelieu), and only the third Wilde play produced in the theatre's history. The plot centers around two friends in London at the end of the 18th century: John Worthing (Vatican Lokey), a wealthy society gentleman, and his dear friend Algernon Moncreif (Leon Contavesprie), a penniless social butterfly ushered in by the Worthing butler (Walter Bost). Both Jack and Algernon ...Read More
An undisputed classic by Oscar Wilde, "Earnest" was originally produced and performed shortly before the trial which ended Wilde's career, his social standing, and his life. This was the second production of this play at Le Petit (both directed by Stocker Fontelieu), and only the third Wilde play produced in the theatre's history. The plot centers around two friends in London at the end of the 18th century: John Worthing (Vatican Lokey), a wealthy society gentleman, and his dear friend Algernon Moncreif (Leon Contavesprie), a penniless social butterfly ushered in by the Worthing butler (Walter Bost). Both Jack and Algernon have certain secrets from each other, such as the fact that John has a ward in the country, and when he wishes to escape from provincial England retreats to the city with the excuse that he must go and care for his consistently-ill (yet fictional) brother Earnest. This state of affairs comes as a happy surprise to Algernon, who concocts a plan to visit the country before he is ignominously dismissed before the arrival of John's intended Gwendolyn Fairfax (Lara Grice) and her imperious aunt and protector Lady Bracknell (Pauline Prelutsky). Lady Bracknell, owing to the fact that John has no parents (an orphan, discovered in a handbag in a railway station) disapproves of their marriage and forbids it, forcing John to retreat to his country estate. Act II opens in the garden of the Worthing country estate where prim Miss Prism (Abby Lake) is tutoring John's lovely young ward Cecily Cardew (Gemma Denmark) guided by the teachings of the Reverend Chausible (Walter Bost). John returns to the estate and retreats to his chambers when Algernon arrives and introduces himself as John's 'brother' Earnest! Cecily is instantly taken with him, and he with her. It is not long before Jack discovers Algernon in his garden and, caught unawares must go along with the charade. However, when Gwendolyn and Lady Bracknell arrive as well, all is revealed including a secret that no one expected.
Originally a three act play, director Fontelieu shortened the show to two acts with judicious editing and the combination of three roles into two for actor Walter Bost.
A special performance was held during the run for the students of Orleans and Jefferson Parish's Talented in the Arts program, arranged through actors Terri Gervais and Mary Testa.
This production is chronicled in theatre historian Michael Cahill's biography on director Fontelieu, entitled "Just Who is Stocker Fontelieu, Anyway?"
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