When one mentions Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Of Being Earnest, the first image that leaps to mind is unlikely to be David Suchet decked out in a corset. It is, shall we say, an unusual sight.
Yet in the rehearsal room for the much-revived comedy, which is being revived again at the Vaudeville Theatre this summer, that is exactly what we see. As you can see from Nobby Clark’s images, he carries it well.
A little explanation, maybe? The past Poirot, who will be moustache-free for his turn on the London stage, is to play Lady Bracknell in this new production that also stars Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em’s Michele Dotrice.
Far from a send up, the casting follows a certain tradition for cross cast Bracknells and will see Suchet playing Bracknell absolutely straight. Well, as straight as you can get in Wilde’s timeless comedy.
If Clark’s images are anything to go by, the multiple Olivier Award nominee is more than comfortable in this girth-restricting get up. The picture of the great man relaxing near a window in corset and smart blue shirt may be the finest theatrical image we’ve seen this year. It’s just a shame, for comic reasons, that he doesn’t have… a handbag!
If the behind the scenes images have put you in the mood for a Wildean comedy, you can book tickets for The Importance Of Being Earnest, which begins its run on 24 June, through us.