There is a perfect saying to explain what has been going on in Tyler Hall’s Waterman Theatre for the past few days: “nanty narking,” a phrase from Victorian England that means to have lots of great fun. As funny as it is to say, “nanty narking” efficiently and effectively describes the laugh-out-loud buzz that was the Fall 2023 production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” performed by the dramatists of SUNY Oswego’s theater department. The show was written by the Irish playwright and writer Oscar Wilde in 1895, who lived during the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom in the mid-to-late 20th century — hence the period being called “Victorian” — and was imprisoned for being gay, as the secret lover of Lord Alfred Douglas. “Earnest” would be one of Wilde’s last works before his death in 1900.

Acting and directing assistant professor Steven Mazzoccone helmed the show as director and led the cast through meticulous weeks of preparation before performances. Auditions were held at the beginning of the fall semester in August. Like other large campus productions, “Earnest” had mostly evening shows with some daytime matinees, running from Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 18 to 22. The show also ran during the annual Friends and Family Weekend event coordinated by the campus Office of Student Orientation and Family Engagement to welcome supporters of students to campus and understand the college community.

SUNY Oswego President Nwosu and other campus administration officials were joined by Chancellor King at the Oct. 19 performance. King was at SUNY Onondaga Community College in Syracuse earlier during the day to be briefed on the progress of Micron’s technological investment into the Central New York region. King noted that the cast and crew did a “fantastic job” and posted a group photo of him, Nwosu and the students backstage.

One of the lead actors for “Earnest” was Victoria “Tori” Evanchick, a sophomore majoring in theater, who played the role of Miss Gwendolen Fairfax. “We may be from a different culture and time, but the fundamentals of society have not really changed. We all put up a mask of some sort, whether we believe that mask to be our true selves or not, to appease others,” Evanchick said. “… What I think makes our play applicable is that there is somewhat a modern flair of expression, of face, of body, physically in the piece that allows a younger audience to not feel alienated.”

In the show, Evanchick’s character plays the love interest of Jack Worthing (played by theater sophomore Ian Katz), who actually has a more daring alter-ego. Jack goes around London as the traveling grandiose Ernest Worthing to impress the city’s high-class wealthy socialites. But will those in his life accept the truth – that he has been lying? Jack, who also has the alternate persona of Ernest, is flanked by a few other notable characters, including the prominent and controlling Lady Augusta Bracknell, the complementary duo of Reverend Chasuble and Miss Prism and best friend-turned-enemy Algernon Moncrieff. Throughout the show, but also with displays at the entrance to Waterman Theatre – including a personality quiz and interactive audience reflections – the idea of the metaphorical “mask” is repeated and invites all to think about how they represent themselves to the world, authentically or maybe not as much.

From the pages of dictionaries, the word “earnest” conveys a meaning of honesty, seriousness and zealousness. Wilde’s work from almost 130 years ago still brings joy to all those who partake in it and flips the script on “the importance of being earnest” in one’s life. It is Miss Fairfax herself who tells Jack, “we live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals.” Ideals surround society and set foundations of relationships and of reflective self-understanding. 

With quick wit and memorable gimmicks, “Earnest” has impressed generations of audiences, including in Oswego, and its allure will not soon be forgotten.

Photo via: SUNY Oswego