He’s Made His Bedford

Brian Bedford’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest has been extended through July 3. Haven’t seen it, and sniff every time I read a review which suggests that Bedford’s casting of himself as Lady Bracknell is somehow novel or groundbreaking. For me, Quentin Crisp will always be the quintessential male New York Bracknell (from a 1982 production directed by Evan Thompson, whose family used to run inspired summer-stock seasons at the Ivoryton Playhouse here in Connecticut). By now, that drag-Bracknell concept is beyond tired. I remember thinking it was old hat when Doug Hughes enlisted Edward Hibbert to be Lady Bracknell at the Long Wharf Theater in 1999, and I remember my relief when I heard a national tour of a new Peter Hall production in 2006 would feature a woman, Lynn Redgrave in the role.
There are better reasons to see The Importance of Being Earnest. Such as Brian Murray, who blew the top off the Long Wharf just last month with his blustery take on art dealer Joseph Luveen in Michael Rudman’s revival of Simon Gray’s The Old Masters. Murray has joined the Earnest cast as Canon Chasuble. Oh, and regardless of casting (it’s one of those shows any trained actor knows how to do), this is simply one of the sturdiest British comedies ever written, a model of well-heeled silliness. As surefire as mainstream entertainment can get, no matter who’s wearing the dress.