Costumes, props and cast delight at Rondo Uni’s art exhibition at CIAF

l EDGE HILL | Gail Sedorkin

KEVIN Shorey is understandably proud of Cairns Little Theatre’s latest production, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Director of Oscar Wilde’s most famous comedy at the Rondo Theatre, he sings the praises of cast, crew, volunteers, supporters and producer Narelle Shorey.

His role has been far-reaching for Earnest, from guiding the talented cast, to painting “each and every floorboard” of the Rondo stage.

Though it may seem an unusual way to start a review, the cleverness of the stage is integral to the play moving seamlessly from scene to scene.

Staged “in the round”, the three locations – the London flat, Woolton Manor House garden and the Manor House drawing room – are blocked out on the stage with appropriate furniture.

The clever use of lighting means each section is lit as required (as well as birdsong added when in the ‘garden’), saving time between scenes and avoiding a lot of heavy lifting of the sumptuous, but weighty, restored period furniture.

The actors for this witty comedy are about young love and all its trials and tribulations have been carefully chosen and cleverly matched.

Duos that work particularly well together are main characters Jack

Worthing (played by Barry McGinley) with Algernon Moncrieff (Kurtis Lowden); Jack with his love interest, the Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax (Heather Baker) is just delightful, as is Algernon with Cecily Cardew, an 18-yearold played very convincingly by Alice Bosanquet. Lady Bracknell (Cath Willacy) upholds all things traditional and is a good foil, particularly for young and often ‘ditzy’ Cecily.

Reverend Chasuble (Kier Shorey) is the perfect pairing for Miss Prism (Debbie Dean), and while they don’t appear together, butlers Lane (Joshua Holt) and Merriman (Paul Hynes) provide a solid counterpoint for all the characters.

As mentioned before, kudos must go to the production and backstage teams, however this review would not be complete without mentioning the costumes and their creators.

Wendy Robins designed and created the outfits for the “Earnest” men, while couturier, Paul Harrison, produced original designs and handcrafted all the women’s period costumes.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Gwendolen’s first appearance was breathtaking – you’ll understand when you see her. Millinery by Juanita Henry and hair design by Delvine Scott completed each costume.

Performances run through until July 15 with a matinee on July 9. For more details and bookings, visit www.therondo.com.au/book or phone 0415 822 333.

l CAIRNS CBD

| Gail Sedorkin

ARTISTS from the only Australian university degree in contemporary Indigenous art are highlighted at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Past, Present, Future exhibition at the Court House Gallery.

The CIAF exhibition is a celebration of the vibrant south-east Queensland creative arts community that came out of the Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (CAIA) program at the Queensland College of Art (QCA), Griffith University.

CIAF artistic director Francoise Lane said it was the first time Griffith University had exhibited with CIAF and she was proud to have Past, Present, Future as a CIAF 2023 Satellite Exhibition.

“The 14 exhibiting artists are leaders in the sector who have inspired many to pursue arts practice,” she said.,

“Griffith’s CAIA is the only degree of its kind in Australia, delivering a focused contemporary Indigenous Arts degree, taught by Indigenous lecturers for Indigenous students.

“These are leading contemporary artists – many of them exhibit all over the country and world including Dylan Mooney, Vernon Ah Kee, Shannon Brett and local artist Darren Blackman.”