Cucumber martinis and Basquiat-like paintings in The Importance of Being Earnest (Rose Theatre)

Oscar Wilde's humour and the "unspoken words" offer an excellent opportunity for actors and directors to find new grounds and explore new interpretations.

What a marvellous intake of this well-known play: fresh, energetic, different and yet fully respecting the original play (and I'd say intentions). Yes, there were cucumber martinis instead of cucumber sandwiches, which Lady Bracknell liked so much, and Algernon was painting J.M.Basquiat-like painting, as a true meaning of the "liberty of expressions". Lady Bracknell was played by a famous drag queen actor Daniel Jacob, Miss Prism was in love with the feminine reverend Dr Chasuble and the cast was of Caribbean-black origin. Going too far? Not at all, it was all so within Oscar Wilde's inner world and thoughts and all so alive. Why shouldn't we think that women were in love with women in the Victorian age? After all, Oscar Wilde was homosexual and imprisoned for his sexual orientation, so playing with the gender(s) seemed only very natural.

Christopher Haydon, the Rose Theatre's (Kingston upon Thames) artistic director wants to give life to well-known plays through new optics and put them into contemporary contexts. That's why he engaged a young, RTST Sir Peter Hall award winner director Denzel Westley-Sanderson for this particular play: to give the most famous Oscar Wilde replicas (from The Importance of Being Earnest) a new meaning or a new accent when played in different situations or under different circumstances. Casting actors of black origin has not been a "politically correct" action, but a statement to a forgotten "Black chapter" from the Victorian age: there were many Black Victorians who were rich and an integral part of 19th-century English society.

I had a great night re-watching this masterpiece. The male roles: John Worthing played by Justice Ritchie and Algernon Moncrieff played by Abiola Owokonira (both recently graduated) were portrayed with utmost joviality and mastery, preserving their young and boyishly playful nature. Valentine Hanson, giving life to both butlers, made us laugh and discover some hidden imperfections of this very respectable role in Victorian society. The females brought a very passionate, somewhat sexually charged approach to their respective roles: Gwendoline played by Adele James, Cecily interpreted by Phoebe Campbell (another recent graduate), Miss Prism (Joanne Henry) and Dr Chasuble (Anita Reynold).

Lady Bracknell is a very well-known "theatre Gorgon", just to mention her name and all the other characters are already rolling their eyes. The very presence of Drag queen Daniel Jacob (whom I saw earlier this year In Death Drop play, in the west end), as Lady Bracknell, underlined the imposing stature (physically and psychologically) of this fearful, "society" lady but also gave her space for expressing some of the middle-aged woman's wisdom and unfulfilled desires.

We need more of Oscar Wilde, not only in the theatre but also in our lives. Helping us not to waste time "beating around the bush" with nonsense dialogues, to approach life with some humour and perspective and, lastly, to look at ourselves (or our society) with a true, critical eye.