An Evening of Comedy and Laughter

An enthusiastic audience were entertained by an excellent production of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Community Centre on Saturday evening (April 25th). Consensus Theatre, an amateur group based in Warrington, are touring this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy and Tarvin responded with laughter and applause.

Sue Hardacre, on the Community Centre Committee said "Consensus is an unusual company for an amateur group in that they take their shows to different locations. This means that they do not build up the kind of loyal, local following that more static groups develop. However, having seen this performance I would be delighted to have them return. Noel Coward's Blythe Spirit and Edward Albee's Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf are their next productions."

Wilde's crisp, witty and incisive language are at the heart of this play about social class and the company were word perfect, The plot depends on quick thinking and rapier wit and the pace never flagged. The change of setting from the late 18890's to the 1950's did not seem to detract from the social sentiments expressed, though perhaps didn't add anything unique either. With three acts and thus three sets to prepare, the company easily transformed the stage with simple yet clever scenery and props — all of which disappeared into the back of a white van afterwards in about half an hour.

There is however a human story to mention. The young lady playing Gwendoline had woken on Saturday feeling very ill. On arriving at the Community Centre she had dozed throughout the afternoon and the company said that in some of her scenes she sat down far more than normal as she was feeling so dizzy. Sue said "I don't think anyone in the audience had any idea of the difficulties she was experiencing. I suspect that Consensus don't run to understudies so her dedication was much appreciated. An amateur perhaps, but a real professional in her attitude".

The next theatre production at the Community Centre is Those Magnificent Men on May 16th. Tickets are now on sale in the Post Office and from www.cheshireruraltouringarts.ticketsource.co.uk