This play was in sharp contrast to the first one in several aspects. Being an Oscar Wilde play, it demanded a fine eye-for-detail and emphasis on the subtlest of expressions. The story begins with a conversation between Algernon Moncrieff (Jayant Yadav) and Jack Worthing (Rohan Pewekar), where they discuss about their pseudo brothers “˜Bunbury’ and “˜Earnest’ respectively. The pseudo brothers are helpful in excusing themselves from dull engagements by citing reasons such as “˜my brother is sick’.

When Algernon’s aunt Lady Bracknell (Pranjali Chanchani) visits Algernon with her beautiful daughter Gwendolen Fairfax (Avantika Tomar), Jack Worthing discloses his love for her. However, Gwendolen knows Jack by the name “˜Earnest’ only. In the meantime, Algernon notes Jack’s country residence address and plans to visit Cecily Cardew (Bhavna Gaule), Jacks’ 18 year old ward who resides in his countryhouse. When Lady Bracknell learns about Jack and Gwendolen’s love for each other, she tries to verify whether his status and lineage is worthy of her daughter. Just when she was satisfied with Jack’s wealth, she learns about his status as an abandoned infant at Victoria railway station. She warns Jack that if he cannot establish the identity of his parents, he may never marry Gwendolen. Pranjali’s stern looks and subtle change of “˜tone’ (after learning Jack’s wealth) were a connoisseur’s delight.

The biggest twist in the tale is when Algernon visits Jack’s country house and introduces himself as “˜Earnest’. He wins Cecily’s heart and is surprised to find her in love with him even before they met! However, Cecily knows Algernon only by the name “˜Earnest’. It must be said at this point that Jayant Yadav’s  naughty smile went really well for Algernon. To turn their fake alibi “˜Earnest’ as real, both Algernon and Jack independently fix an appointment with Reverend Canon Chasuble (Abhay Kesharwani) to get ‘christened’.

This is when Gwendolen also visits the country house. In an exciting turn of events, Gwendolen and Cecily turn hostile, assuming that “˜Earnest’ was a single man who duped both of them with the promise to marry. The dust settles when both Jack and Algernon enter the scene. Somehow, both Algernon and Jack manage to woo their lady love.  Both Bhavna and Avantika play their parts well to bring the house down with laughter.

The story has a surprise ending when Lady Bracknell and Miss Prism (Richa Meshram) enter the scene. It turns out that the missing child of Lady Bracknell’s sister, was none other than Jack Worthing. Miss Prism was responsible for losing Jack in a railway station. The best part is when Jack tries to find out his actual name. His actual name turns out to be “˜Earnest’ and he is thrilled by the prospect of having spoken the truth so far. Indeed, the play showcased “˜the importance of being Earnest’!

Even the Butlers, Lane (Sujash Biswas) and Merriman (Rohan Moitra), were played to perfection. The music and the background went really well with the story and the theme. Even costumes were perfect for the occasion. In fact, it is an even bigger challenge for the Drams cell to impress us in their third play of the season, which comes up during Intaglio, IIM Calcutta flagship B-school festival.

For Jokatimes
Guhan M

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