The Importance of Being Earnest - NT, Lyttelton

[Being Alive]

Sharon D Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa and Hugh Skinner to lead a new revival in the Lyttleton from November, directed by Max Webster.

[adamkinsey]

Decades ago an MP proposed that there should be a ban on all productions of Gilbert and Sullivan for a very lengthy period so that they could be rediscovered and presented anew with delight rather than "oh god, not again".

I'm afraid I feel that way about Importance of Being Earnest. It's a good play, but I just don't want to watch it again for another 25 years. Ditto Blithe Spirit.

[Dave B]

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/whats-on/the-importance-of-being-earnest/

20 November 2024 — 25 January 2025

[aspieandy]

I'd love to drill into their membership data, esp. pre-covid vs. post-covid.

[talkingheads]

Ncuti! This has to be filmed for NT Live doesn't it? They can't turn down the spending power of worldwide Doctor Who fans.

[Being Alive]

Yeah with that cast you'd assume this'll NT Live

[Jon]

Ncuti alone will sell it but Sharon D Clarke and Hugh Skinner makes it even better.

Sharon D Clarke is currently filming Ellis for Channel 5 and I wouldn't be surprised if that ends up airing around the same time.

[theatrefan62]

This is a brilliant cast, something I can use my NT credit on

[karloscar]

Sharon D Clarke as Lady Bracknell? Well, that's one Olivier award spoken for and possibly a Tony if it transfers.

[aspieandy]

Sharon does like a Broadway transfer .. she can pick 'em.

[nottobe]

What do we think reimagined could be ? Cameras onstage? A scene beamed live from the coat room at Victoria Station?

But in all seriousness I think it might be modern dress but with a flair a bit like the recent Twelfth Night they did.

[Deleted]

I'll be interested to see how Sharon plays Lady B. The idea of her playing the part as a formidable Caribbean lady could be a fun idea.

I saw Cathy Tyson as Lady Bracknell a few years ago in a multicultural version of Ernest at B'ham Rep which I enjoyed so the premise can work well.

Ncuti will sell out the run on his name alone. A West End transfer would be a no brainer but his Dr Who commitments could be an issue assuming he does a 3rd series unless they are already filming that far ahead.

[Jon]

Apr 29, 2024 19:40:45 GMT @scarletmood said:

I'll be interested to see how Sharon plays Lady B. The idea of her playing the part as a formidable Caribbean lady could be a fun idea.

I saw Cathy Tyson as Lady Bracknell a few years ago in a multicultural version of Ernest at B'ham Rep which I enjoyed so the premise can work well.

Ncuti will sell out the run on his name alone. A West End transfer would be a no brainer but his Dr Who commitments could be an issue assuming he does a 3rd series unless they are already filming that far ahead.

They've filming the second series at the moment. I suspect a transfer is unlikely because of his Doctor Who commitments in 2025. 

[theatrenerd]

Apr 29, 2024 19:40:45 GMT @scarletmood said:

I saw Cathy Tyson as Lady Bracknell a few years ago in a multicultural version of Ernest at B'ham Rep which I enjoyed so the premise can work well.

I saw this version too and really enjoyed it, aside from the all-mirror set design which I found somewhat distracting. But they were great performances and a great contemporary introduction to the play.

[Jon]

Sharon D Clarke should be a great Lady Bracknell.

[Deleted]

Apr 29, 2024 19:59:23 GMT Jon said:

Sharon D Clarke should be a great Lady Bracknell.

Lady Bracknell is one of the best comedy roles written for middle aged actresses. That and Madame Arcati are the two roles I always think that actresses who are good at comedy roles need to do when they are the right age. 

[fluxcapacitor]

Apr 29, 2024 18:25:51 GMT nottobe said:

What do we think reimagined could be ? Cameras onstage? A scene beamed live from the coat room at Victoria Station?

But in all seriousness I think it might be modern dress but with a flair a bit like the recent Twelfth Night they did.

If I ever see a show “reimagined” with cameras on stage again it will be too soon! Plays like “Network” work because it’s engrained in the source material, Dorian Grey has shown it at its most creative and versatile, many others have used it effectively but I find it’s too often style over substance.

Seriously though, I think the diverse casting itself allows this production to be reimagined more organically. It’s a brilliant cast, too, so I really hope (and trust!) they’re allowed to really deliver something worthwhile - in modern dress, with a flair if needed - rather than overlaid with distracting gimmicks.

[happysooz2]

I was about to confidently post that Ncuti had left Doctor Who as I could have sworn I read an article about it. I decided to fact check myself and discovered it was posted on April 1st. I bloody hate April Fool’s pranks, but I like the sound of this play.

[Deal J]

Ncuti is definitely confirmed for season 3 of Doctor Who, one of the reasons they have been shooting so far in advance is to allow Ncuti a break to do something of his choosing between S2 and S3 without messing up the transmission plan. At first he said he might just use the break to take a holiday, but we're being treated to this instead!

[theatrefan62]

Apr 30, 2024 7:40:35 GMT happysooz2 said:

I was about to confidently post that Ncuti had left Doctor Who as I could have sworn I read an article about it. I decided to fact check myself and discovered it was posted on April 1st. I bloody hate April Fool’s pranks, but I like the sound of this play.

Same, it said Matt Smith was coming back. The thing I really hate is these sites don't then take them down so they stay online forever adding the mass misinformation out there

[cartoonman]

Sharon has a great singing voice it's a shame that this won't give her the opportunity for a song. She was so good in Ma Rainey.

[maggiem]

that's my November London weekend sorted.

[Deleted]

Apr 30, 2024 7:52:49 GMT Deal J said:

Ncuti is definitely confirmed for season 3 of Doctor Who, one of the reasons they have been shooting so far in advance is to allow Ncuti a break to do something of his choosing between S2 and S3 without messing up the transmission plan. At first he said he might just use the break to take a holiday, but we're being treated to this instead!

Filming for the upcoming Dr Who series started in December 2022 and finished last July. So Ncuti's 2nd series should be pretty much in the can now. I don't know if this year's Xmas special has already been filmed or they do those out of sequence? 

With Ncuti confirmed for a 3rd series as the Dr this wouldn't go out for 2 years time so there would be plenty of time to film this after his Ernest jaunt although they might look to get some pre-filmed this year possibly.

It will be good to have the show back with a series each year and not the big gaps like we have had in the last couple of years.

[lynette]

‘Reimagined’ ? They make the two couples homeless drug addicts who speak with an Essex/Newcastle accent? What is wrong with people. If there is one play which is perfection, every word landed, it is this one.

[mjh]

Amex presale quietly opened this morning for this and the other new season shows.