The Importance of Being Earnest by Twisted Tree Theatre: An Outstanding Performance!
Twisted Tree Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s critically acclaimed romantic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was a brilliant end to an exceptional year for the Wesley Institute alumni theatre company.
After two successful shows at the start of 2011, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Shakespeare's R & J by Joe Calarco, auditions were held for the company’s next big undertaking, The Importance of Being Earnest. Following ten weeks of rehearsal, the show opened on the 24 November, selling over 330 tickets and running ten shows through the beginning of December.
Directed by Katherine Hopwood Poulsen, the cast starred Wesley Institute graduates of the Bachelor of Dramatic Art, Benjamin Vickers, Hailey McQueen, James Jonathon, Rebecca Koessler, Sarah Farmer, Peter David Allison, Jessica Kelly, and Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) alumnus Ryan Desaulnier.
“It was an absolute joy to be involved in this show,” said Hailey, Twisted Tree Theatre board member and ‘Gwendolen’ in The Importance of Being Earnest. “Katherine Poulsen was an absolute pleasure to work with; she was creative, insightful and calm. Her imaginative staging of the play was much talked about and loved by audiences. The cast was also a dream - all members having extensive experience in the industry. The performances were well attended and audiences were extremely generous with laughter and applause - it is a very funny play.”
Audience members enthusiastically raved about the show after each performance. Reviews included:
This is a corker of a performance - the staging is really creative and gives you the impression of being "in" the play which is marvellous - I'd also totally forgotten how funny this play is - would recommend it to everyone!
I've seen it! And it was GREAT!!! Acting and direction both brought out the lively humanity of Wilde's sparkling script.
Congratulations Twisted Tree on a brilliant show! You did a great job and Katherine Poulsen, your vision for the production was wonderful! You should all be very proud of yourselves! I still giggle to myself whenever I think about the muffin scene!
Congrats to the cast and crew in their best yet production of The Importance of Being Earnest! Absolutely hilarious; I loved every minute of it. Can't wait for the next show!
On behalf of everyone at Wesley Institute, we would like to congratulate Twisted Tree Theatre on a phenomenal production and an equally outstanding year!
Click here to view The Importance of Being Earnest Photo Gallery.
About Twisted Tree Theatre
Twisted Tree Theatre began as an idea in 2007: to create an alumni theatre company that would represent the Wesley Institute arts community on a greater stage, utilizing the skilled graduates of Dance, Drama, Graphic Design and Music who would work together to produce theatre of professional quality. 
In 2009, the company’s debut show, Peter Schaffer’s The Private Ear, launched the idea of ‘what could be’ into reality. Since then, Twisted Tree Theatre has continued its partnership with Wesley Institute and its graduates, producing Slawomir Mrozek’s Out at Sea, Fernando Arabbal’s Picnic on the Battlefield, and three shows in 2011.
Also in 2011 the company received the award for Best Independent Theatre Company at Sydney’s Short and Sweet festival: an outstanding honour for the company!
“Twisted Tree Theatre offers Wesley Institute’s talented alumni endless opportunities to be involved in what they are most passionate about” said Sarah, board member and ‘Miss Prism’ in The Importance of Being Earnest. “I firmly believe that in order to grow in any career, especially acting, practice is key to achieving success. I believe in Twisted Tree Theatre because it is a wonderful community, as well as a fast, developing professional playground for artists to do and develop what we love.”
For more information on Twisted Tree Theatre, visit our alumni page here and Twisted Tree Theatre’s website.
