Wondrously witty, ever thought provoking and performed with joy, this is Wilde with bite!
Presented by: State Theatre Company South Australia
Reviewed: 12 May, 2026
State Theatre Company South Australia’s premiere of The Importance of Being Earnest at the newly refurbished Dunstan Playhouse on Tuesday night was big, brash and bold — unmistakably the place to be. Answering the dress code call to “dazzle,” the Adelaide audience arrived in sequins, feathers and even the odd top hat or three. This homage to flamboyant playwright Oscar Wilde set the tone for the evening; pizzazz was in the air well before the (metaphorical) curtain rose.
From there, the night only improved. Director Petra Kalive delivers a delectable production, made all the more impressive by its restraint — a lack of unnecessary padding, elaborate sets or indulgent excess. Where streaming platforms can rely on big budget spectacle to sustain attention, live theatre depends entirely on performance and the electric connection between actor and audience. This cast clearly understands that magic, sustaining it effortlessly across two flawless hours.
Cabaret star Carla Lippis features prominently in the promotional material, raising the question: is this a traditional or modern interpretation of Wilde’s classic? The answer lies somewhere in between. Lippis opens the show with an original cabaret number that playfully introduces the plot and satirises the indulgent lives of the Victorian elite. It’s a bold and effective opening that quickly gives way to the familiar structure of Wilde’s script, as servants and social hierarchies take their place.
Settling into Wilde’s original text, written over 130 years ago, the production straddles modern understanding of social convention and traditional Victorian stricture, with striking relevance. While the language remains faithful, Kalive has — ahem — cast aside conventional casting constraints around race, gender and sexuality. Wilde himself, known for his sharp critique of Victorian rigidity, was also the quintessential Dandy: fashion-forward, theatrical, and deeply invested in joy and beauty. This production captures not just his words, but his spirit — celebrating his queerness, wit and exuberance in a way that was not possible in his lifetime. The gender-blind casting adds a further layer of intrigue to the intrigues in the story and while striking and thought-provoking, it is most importantly for theatre, entirely believable. The result is a play about restriction that refuses to restrict its players.
For those familiar with the title but not the story, rest assured: this is no dusty relic. Wilde’s razor-sharp wit, his skewering of social convention, and his insights into human behaviour remain as relevant and thought-provoking in 2026 as they were in his own time.
As for the performers, it almost feels misleading to say they “acted.” Instead, they inhabit their roles with total conviction. Anna Linder’s Algernon Moncrieff is languid, indulgent and deliciously mischievous, perfectly capturing the idle privilege of his class. Teddy Dunn’s Jack Worthing (or Ernest) balances dual identities with nuance, moving seamlessly between romantic sincerity and rigid responsibility. Their chemistry forms the beating heart of the production, particularly in the gloriously absurd argument over muffins and cake — it is comforting to know that when one’s life goes to hell in a handbasket, there’s always cucumber sandwiches and tea.
Conner Pullinger’s Gwendolen Fairfax is delivered with camp precision and comic flair, while Pia Gillings’ Cecily is eccentric, sheltered and loudly determined. Presiding over them all is Glenda Linscott’s formidable Lady Bracknell, embodying the rigid social codes and class divisions Wilde so brilliantly dismantles. Through biting satire, the play exposes a society that demands conformity while leaving little room for individuality — prompting the invention of alternative identities as a means of escape. Comfortingly, of course, such absurdities are entirely behind us… in an age of curated online personas and filtered realities.
In the end, this production is a testament to the enduring brilliance of Wilde’s work and the exceptional talent of all involved. Kalive’s direction, combined with a fearless and finely tuned cast, breathes fresh life into a beloved classic without losing its essence. It is witty, joyful, and sharply intelligent — a celebration of theatre at its most engaging. Whether you are a seasoned theatre-goer or new to the stage, this Earnest offers something truly special: a reminder that great writing, when paired with great performance, never goes out of style.
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Photo credit: Matt Byrne
Venue: The Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 8—30 May 2026
Duration: 120 minutes (NO INTERVAL)
Tickets: $25 – $99 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/the-importance-of-being-earnest/
