As an NSTA representative, I had the pleasure of attending St Dunstan’s College’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest on Tuesday 2nd December 2025. Directed by Ms Charlotte Westrip, this was an energetic and playful evening of theatre that highlighted the wit of Oscar Wilde’s text.

Even before the curtain rose, the audience were given a taste of what was to come with the soundscape of a busy Victorian railway station, and the canny directorial choice to have a young Miss Prism stumble from the audience and misplace her handbag was a pleasing Easter Egg for those of us familiar with the play, and no doubt an intriguing introduction for those who were not.

This playfulness continued once the curtain rose, with the introduction of the ensemble of Tallulah, Sophie, Florence, and Tamara as a quartet of maids who busied themselves with preparing the set, interspersed with some adept choreography to the 80s pop playing over the scene change. This continued in subsequent scene changes, creating a real sense of continuity, and aiding brilliantly in creating an atmosphere of fun and frivolity, alongside showcasing the strong set design work of a country garden alongside the well-executed Victorian drawing rooms of the first and third acts.

As Algernon and Jack, Theo and Cillian were a strong double-act; Cillian played the heightened comedy very well, especially with his physicality and mannerisms, while Theo had excellent stage presence and a confidence with the witty text that shone through. They both brought these scheming (yet rather inept) playboy characters to life with aplomb and are to be commended for their commitment to the characters and for really driving the show forward. Cillian really knew how to land the comedic timing, and Theo was not afraid to use the whole stage to really embody this ungentlemanly Victorian gentleman!

As Gwendolen, Coco had a sparky presence that lit up the stage as soon as she entered. She brought wit, charm, and a great ability with both the text and her physicality, truly bringing this strong-minded character to life. Though she has her moments of vanity and superficiality, Coco’s layered portrayal of Gwendolen made sure the audience always remained sympathetic, and she was a delight in every scene she was in.

As Cecily, Mary brought a real sense of youthful naiveté to the role, whilst also skilfully portraying that this character is not a pushover! Her naturalistic delivery of the text really served to highlight its humour, and she also had great comic timing.

A highlight of the evening was Shani’s portrayal of Lady Bracknell; she was outstanding in her delivery of a cut-glass RP accent and commanding physicality to embody this formidable Aunt. Her mastery of Wilde’s text was evident, and she received ample, well-merited laughter. A number of very famous and experienced actresses have played this part over the years, but Shani really made it her own.

Among the supporting cast, Loky’s Dr Chausible was a comic triumph. Not afraid to really throw himself into slightly slapstick scenarios with the set and props, his pompous priest gained a lot of laughs, but he also conveyed the character’s genuine love for Miss Prism well. As Miss Prism, Julia’s use of awkward accent and body language really served the nervy and nerdy aspects of the character, creating an impressive and memorable impact with a limited amount of stage time. As the servants Lane and Merriman, Will and Lauren also embraced their opportunity to shine, especially in their dry delivery of their lines and use of non-verbal asides like eye-rolls and coughs to skilfully portray what these characters really thought of their chaotic masters and mistresses.

The costume design should also be highlighted in its contribution to the playful tone of the production, with many an impressive ruffle and choice of rich colours for the Victorian period dress, adding hugely to the visual enjoyment for the audience.

The production was warmly and enthusiastically supported by friends and family of the cast, and that sense of the whole school community coming together to support their peers’ artistic endeavours was touching to see. St Dunstan’s College’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest was a great success, and a shining showcase of what can be achieved with hard work and collaboration, a talented ensemble cast, and a strong artistic ambition. 

National School Theatre Awards

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