David Suchet is stepping into a woman’s shoes in a new production of The Importance of Being Earnest
David Suchet to star in the Oscar Wilde classic in the West End
This summer’s revival of Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest will see David Suchet appear as the formidable Lady Bracknell.
The Poirot legend will be following in the footsteps of Geoffrey Rush, who played Lady Bracknell in Melbourne in 2011 and Brian Bedford who also performed as the play’s most memorable character on Broadway in the same year.
Lady Bracknell has been played with many acting greats over the years, including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Edith Evans and Penelope Keith.
Challenging convention
The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy about escaping the conventions of late Victorian London. Two bachelor friends lead double lives in an attempt to catch the eye of two ladies. The men are forced to tackle the outrageous consequences of their dishonest identities and, of course, with the domineering Lady Bracknell.
The Importance of Being Earnest was first performed in 1895 in London.
Directed by Adrian Noble
This year’s production of Oscar Wilde’s classic will be directed by Adrian Noble, the former Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director.
Stating that he “couldn’t resist trading in my moustache for her heels,” David Suchet told reporters:
“I always knew it would be a challenge to find another character as extraordinary to play. I also wanted a comedy. Lady Bracknell is both.”
Following a short UK tour, the new production of Oscar Wilde’s much-loved masterpiece will open in the West End on 24 June 2015.
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