…Earnest?, UK Tour Review (2025)
Written by Stacy for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Say It Again, Sorry? takes The Importance of Being Earnest and flips it on its head in this wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud production that blends high-energy improvisation with Oscar Wilde’s razor-sharp wit. Currently making a stop at the Darlington Hippodrome as part of its UK tour, this is a show that keeps audiences on their toes, delivering a fresh, unpredictable experience every night.
At first glance, the production appears to be a straightforward staging of Wilde’s much-loved comedy of mistaken identities, social absurdities, and double lives. However, that illusion is quickly shattered as the cast gleefully dismantles theatrical conventions, breaking the fourth wall and throwing the rulebook out the window. From unexpected audience participation to unscripted detours, the show constantly teeters between Wilde’s original text and complete, joyful anarchy.
The premise is simple but brilliantly executed: the actors attempt to perform The Importance of Being Earnest, but things quickly go awry. Props misbehave, lines are forgotten, and chaos ensues as the cast scrambles to keep the show on track. The result is an utterly unpredictable experience where no two performances are ever the same. Expect quick-witted improvisation, brilliantly reactive performances, and moments where the audience becomes part of the madness, whether they’re knowingly participating or caught completely off guard.
At the helm of this theatrical mayhem is a creative team that fully embraces spontaneity while ensuring the show remains a razor-sharp comedic spectacle. The direction is a triumph, striking the perfect balance between structure and improvisation, allowing the cast to play freely while keeping the story’s core intact. The director (Simon Paris) orchestrates the chaos with remarkable precision, guiding the performers through unpredictable twists without ever losing the show’s momentum. This approach ensures that every performance is unique, bursting with fresh energy and surprises while still maintaining a clear, cohesive vision.
The staging (Trynity Silk) is cleverly designed to support the improvisational nature of the production, with a flexible set that seamlessly accommodates spontaneous moments. The costumes (Libby Watson) nod to Wilde’s period setting while allowing for the madcap antics to unfold unimpeded, and the lighting design (Catja Hamilton) subtly enhances shifts in tone, helping to underscore both the scripted and improvised elements. Every creative choice feels intentional, ensuring that the show’s anarchic spirit never descends into total chaos but remains a finely tuned, exhilarating experience.
The ensemble cast is a force to be reckoned with, each performer demonstrating impeccable comedic timing and an infectious sense of play. They expertly balance Wilde’s refined wordplay with moments of pure anarchy, delivering sharp, dynamic performances that keep the audience in fits of laughter. Their chemistry is electric, allowing them to lean into the chaos with confidence, whether riffing off audience suggestions, navigating unforeseen mishaps, or heightening the absurdity of an already outrageous plot.
Fans of traditional Wildean wit will still find plenty to love, as the show retains the heart of Earnest while injecting it with a frenetic, modern energy. This is a production that doesn’t just break the rules—it tears them up and tosses them into the audience for good measure. Say It Again, Sorry? has crafted a theatrical experience that is as unpredictable as it is side-splittingly funny. A masterclass in comedic chaos, this is theatre at its most exhilarating—utterly unmissable!
Currently on a UK tour until 14 June 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★.5
