Earnest? 5***** - One4Review
one4review | On 16, Aug 2026
I did not know what to expect from this show. I knew it was a comedy but I was a little anxious as I am not familiar with the play that this show is loosely based on. However, I realised very quickly this did not matter. The show is based loosely on Oscar Wildes play The Importance of being Earnest. The show is set to be a performance of the play but unfortunately there are some key actors missing. The director asks for stand ins from the audience which turn the show into unpredictable hilarity. It quickly became clear that I was not the only one unfamiliar with the original play.
Audience participation is key to this show working and the “director” just seemed to pull ideal audience members with no acting skills. The cast expertly guide the audience members into the main characters and work with the unpredictable material that comes from each. The cast are very good at working off script and work well together to make this work. They laugh along with people and each other, particularly when things go wrong!
The show has “three acts” and manage the stage well with the scene changes. Some of the cast play multiple characters and others play exaggerated versions of the original. The show is deliberately disastrous version of the play, but this is what makes it engaging and fun. I laughed throughout at the chaos that ensued and some planned mischievous retakes resulting in some unfortunate situations. The audience around me were all laughing too. I was surprised how quickly 75 minutes passed with a play I knew little about.
This show exceeded my expectations and made it one of my favourites of the Fringe so far.
*****
Reviewed by Tracey
Underbelly George Square
Until 30 August (not 13)
15.45 (1 hour 15 mins)
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