In ‘Earnest’: Wilde comedy takes satirical slant to serious social subjects

By Brenna Wiegand

The Importance of Being Earnest, a play written in 1894 by Oscar Wilde, opens the last weekend in February. It is Silverton High School Theater Department’s second play in the new school auditorium, but the theater has already hosted several community events.

“We just had a fundraiser for the Senior Center here – a two-person show called ‘Love Letters,’” said Doug Ousterhout, head of the drama department, known as “Mr. O.” For such events, Mr. O operates the lights and sound system, but by next year his goal is to have a trained cadre of students to take over “the technical stuff.”

The new facility is significantly more audience-friendly: comfy seats, better views, high-quality lights and sound. It provides many advantages for drama students, whether rehearsing, performing or working behind the scenes. Modern rigging allows scenery to be “flown” into the rafters, eliminating the need for crew members to physically lift and move props in and out of the wings. The spacious new facility includes a smaller “black box” theater that serves as Mr. O’s classroom, can be used for smaller productions with audiences of up to 50, and provides a pre-performance warm-up space.

Ousterhout could go on and on singing the praises of the new space, but says Silverton High Principal Mark Hannan best summed it up: “It’s like going from an outhouse to the penthouse.”

Ousterhout thought the time was right to take on this challenging social comedy considered by many as Wilde’s masterpiece.

“We have a very mature, wonderful group of kids,” he said. “There’s one junior; the rest are seniors, most of whom are four-year thespians.”

Junior Haley Karlson serves as assistant director.

That maturity and aptness for taking on the Victorian comedy is evident as cast members reflect on the play’s relevance for today – and what they’ve learned in the process.

Justin Thomas, plays John (Jack/Ernest)
Worthing, J.P. (Justice of the Peace):
“It’s a really funny satire of British manners, not specifically meant for our society, but it still applies to our time because of all the parallels that can be drawn: comparing upper classes to lower classes; looking down on people because they have less. The plays on words end up making these upper class members look like bigots.

“I’ve found out that playing the lead role is significantly more work than a minor or even secondary role. But comedies are really fun because at any moment you can experiment with your role and see how the audience responds. Of course, Mr. O doesn’t want us changing the plot, but with a comedy you have a lot more flexibility.

“This play shows how superficial, how trivial a lot of people in society are. It makes you see the world more broadly.”

Joel Senecal, plays Algernon Moncrieff:
“This is my second play in my entire life. Acting is a lot more intense than anything I’ve ever tried. I didn’t have many lines when I played LaFoe in Beauty and the Beast. I decided, it’s my senior year – it’s now or never.

“This is a very wordy play and you really have to be on the ball. I’ve learned to be more forward thinking and assertive than ever in my life.

“This play shows how you need to be aware of the double standards society is full of. But it also shows that it’s important to take life as it comes – and less seriously. You never know what is going to be facing you each day … you’ve got to be able to roll with the punches.

“These Victorian characters are going through the same things we all face every day – just reality.”

Sierra Druley, plays Gwendolen Fairfax:
“It’s a really fun show. It requires the audience to really engage; to pay attention. If you do that, it’s really hilarious. It takes you out of your element because it’s set in 19th century England and among the aristocrats. Oscar Wilde wrote it to kind of make fun of all the ‘proper manners and other societal requirements of Victorian England.

“My character is kind of a stretch for me. I’ve really had to work on my physicality; for people in Victorian society, your posture always had to be right; ladylike, nothing like high school students now.

“On the surface, the play is a comedy of manners, but overall it teaches the importance of being real and being honest. You see these characters messing up as a resulting of lying. It proves that a life that’s truly happy has to be an honest one.”

Kendra Ferguson, plays Cecily Cardew:
“This is an accomplishment for me; it’s my third year in theater and I finally have a lead role after a lot of time behind the scenes or in minor roles.

“I like this play’s at-home wit and satire on society. If you actually listen to the dialog it’s incredibly hilarious – each line is a joke unto itself. If audience members really look at and listen to each character, it’s amazing.

“Since this is a small show (there are only nine cast members), we all have bigger roles. We have to really develop our characters; become them down to every word, every motion, our tone of voice and posture. This characterization will serve us well.

“The Importance of Being Earnest is a satire on society and helps you realize what to take so seriously and what not to take as seriously. Everyone should know this great play.”