Importance of Being Earnest Question

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 7/17/11 at 12:39am

Is the role of Lady Bracknell usually played by a woman? Just asking since the person playing her in the West End of the show was announced as Jane Asher, and Brian Bedford's understudy was a woman too.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 7/17/11 at 12:44am

Yes, it is written for/traditionally played by a woman. This production was not the first time, however, that it was played by a man.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/17/11 at 11:23am

One thing I loved most about Bedford's performance was his not playing Lady Bracknell as a vehicle for high drag, as it has sometimes been played by men, and even similarly been played for high camp by some women doing the role, but as a real flesh and blood woman, highly eccentric of course, but not larger than (a large, theatrical) life.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/17/11 at 11:25am

Oh, Henrick, I wholeheartedly agree. He 'was' a woman during that performance. If I hadn't known a man was playing the part, I don't think I would have guessed. He was devine.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/17/11 at 1:45pm

Find the absolutely brilliant war-era film version with Margaret Rutherford. She will *forever* be the definitive Bracknell.