The Importance of Being Earnest as performed by Three F*cking Queens and a Duck – IDGTF – Teacher’s Club – Review
by Gearóid O’Byrne

1st – 6th May, Teacher’s Club

This is a hilarious production of Steven Dawson’s play by Australia’s award-winning Out Cast Theatre company. It is a fast and furious comedy wherein the three eponymous actors have to put on a production of Oscar Wilde’s famous play covering all the characters and in a time slot being repeatedly reduced in length by the theatre. Dressed, for no apparent reason, in Elizabethan doublets and hose, the three actors strike poses, argue amongst themselves about who is playing who, and rehearse in different styles (the Chekovian version was particularly funny), while trying to prepare for the opening.

These are three experienced comedic actors whose bawdy and politically incorrect Australian quips contrast delightfully with the clipped upper crust English accents required by Wilde’s play. Played at a frenetic pace, it had the audience in fits of laughter. Who knew that the word “handbag” could be the subject of so much dissent?

This is a brilliant farce played successfully for the many comedy moments involved. Such is the pace that you need to concentrate so as not to miss the many hilarious insults the characters trade about each other. I haven’t seem anything so funny in a long time.

I think Oscar would have loved it! And as for the duck? Well, to find out, you’ll just have to go see it if you can get tickets. It runs till the evening of Saturday 6th May at the Teacher’s Club Main Hall, 36 Parnell Square at 9pm each evening with a Saturday matinee at 4pm.