Slapstick Picnic talk about The Importance of Being Earnest

This summer, brand new outdoor theatre company Slapstick Picnic are on their first UK tour with a mischievous reimagining of The Importance of Being Earnest. Slapstick Picnic’s Charlotte Driessler tells us a bit more about what audiences can expect from this new hectic, two-actor production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play.

Can you tell us a bit about Slapstick Picnic?

We’re all about having fun and celebrating silliness. Serving up classic tales with an untraditional twist, bringing theatre to anyone and everyone with a pinch of naughtiness and lashings of atmosphere.

What can audiences expect from going to see The Importance of Being Earnest?

A two-hander fast-paced laugh-out-loud romp. With a cucumber sandwich fight in there for good measure too. Oscar Wilde does a lot of the work for us with such a witty script but we like to add an element of chaos to it all..

What’s the most difficult thing about performing so many different roles?

The quick costume changes, you want to make them look and feel seamless but often arms are inside out and hats are dropped. It certainly makes for a unique show at each venue. At the start of the tour part of the joy is watching the actors frantically try to move between each character, by the middle and end you’re marvelling at how they do it so well.

British weather can be unpredictable at the best of times! Have you performed in any tricky conditions?

So far we’ve had it all, baking heat in Milton Keynes, gale force finds in Lyme Regis and torrential rain on the Isle of Wight. Wet weather can make the quick costume changes tough, and it’s particularly tough for Lucy in the heat due to Algernon’s fat suit..

Whereabouts are you most looking forward to performing this summer?

Cawdor Castle is one, it’s a big old drive up there but it’s a gorgeous part of the UK. We’ve just performed at the Marine Theatre on the Jurassic Coast and tha has a beautiful view of the sea – absolute winner.

The Importance of Being Earnest tours until 10^th September. For more information on upcoming tour dates, please visit the website.