Felt Tip, Armidale’s newest theatre company, opened their first full scale production on Friday, February 24, at the Hoskins Theatre, performing Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, following a gala celebration for the first night audience earlier in the evening. The afternoon performances of the debut production will be held in the gardens of Booloominbah UNE, and are part of another Felt Tip initiative: regular outdoor theatre in locations around the town.
Felt Tip’s spectacular production of the Wilde classic, directed by recent UNE Theatre Studies graduate, Alex Robson, had the opening night audience in hysterics. In spite of a tentative start and some problems with rhythm in Act 1 each of the actors relaxed and hit their stride in Act 2. Josh Osborne (Jack Worthing) and Alex Robson (Algernon Moncrieff) delivered appealing performances, complementing each other, with Osborne bringing an understated mature style to his role. Alex Robson played Algernon with flamboyance, flair and a commanding stage presence.
An original and hilarious performance by Chris Curcuruto (Lady Bracknell) was one of the highlights of the production, and each time she appeared on stage the audience erupted in fits of laughter. Emily O’Conner (Gwendolen Fairfax) and Jessica Staniforth (Cecily Cardew) entertained with their well choreographed “fight” scene across the afternoon tea table.
Performances by Elise Baker (Miss Prism) and Michael Cornford (Frederick Chasuble) were particularly comical, as was Torsten von Strokirch who played Lane as well as Merriman. The ingenious casting of von Strokirch, a thirteen year old, who played both the young and elderly butlers, proved a delightful choice, with the young actor creating some memorable moments of physical humour in the farce.
The set offered striking bold colours and a simple but effective design. It featured superb detail, with large striped wallpaper, urns of pink roses, a beautifully decorated table, floral china, and solid Victorian furniture. The period costumes also dazzled, with Lady Bracknell at first in emerald satin, complete with bustle and later in the play resplendent in rose crepe with dozens of rosettes on the bodice. Margaret Sims designed and made both the Bracknell costumes.
It is exciting to see a young, new, semi-professional company launching in Armidale. This production of Wilde’s comedy shows energy, determination and talent.
The Importance of Being Earnest, Felt Tip Theatre Company, Armidale is playing at The Hoskins Centre, TAS, on the subsequent weekends (Friday and Saturday the 2nd-3rd and 9-10th of March) at 7:30pm.
Review: Grace Quiddington
