Showing @ C cubed, Edinburgh until Mon 25 Aug @ 11:45
Altering a classic is a popular Fringe past-time. In this case, rather than making a musical version of Wilde’s original comedy of manners, Ernest takes a supposedly modern spin. All the action takes place in a second-life style virtual plane, where people can present themselves however they wish.
The parallels are obvious and it’s a nice analogy, but nothing is added by this framing device; and once everyone turns up in a rough approximation of 19th Century dress, any notion of an internet age Ernest goes out the window. What we are left with is a light, gently fluffy hour of perfectly good entertainment; a decent set, well-realised characters and a solid adaptation. Everything is very nicely done, without ever becoming anything more.
However, one pleasant surprise is the the quality of the music. With newly conceived musicals, a frequent problem is that whilst the concept might be sparky, the songs lack anything original or interesting. This isn’t a problem for Ernest, which is just as well as numbers pop up with extreme frequency. A duet between Cecily and Algy, a squabble between Cecily and Gwendolen and the ‘Handbag medley’ prove especially enjoyable, but there are no duds to be found.