After seeing director Max Webster's take on Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse, I felt I could not pass up the opportunity to see his next project: a take on Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest . The combination of an impeccably chosen (and star studded) casting of Ncuti Gatwa, Hugh Skinner et al. Nothing, it seemed, could prevent me from disliking what was sure to be a near perfect production? This staging was a truly faithful interpretation of the source material, while making everything bigger, bolder, and incredibly camp. The performances were often great all round, with an overblown, semi-ironic style which although humorous can become played out, and would feel more at home in an amateur production. I was pleasantly surprised by how additive the moments of music were (composer DJ Walde) that recontextualised well known classical works with hip-hop sensibilities. As always, the sets of National Theatre productions (set and costume designer Rae Smith) never fail to ...