New stage production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

Scottish comedy star Karen Dunbar is to play Lady Bracknell in a new stage production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. 

She will be following in the footsteps of Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, Geoffrey Rush and David Suchet when she takes the role for the Perth Theatre production.

Dunbar – whose TV credits include Chewin’ the Fat, Rab C Nesbitt and her own sketch show – said: ‘It’s such a classic play: funny, smart, timeless and very relevant, especially in times like these. So far, I’m pitching my Lady Bracknell somewhere between Mary Berry and Ena Sharples. We’ll see what comes out.’

The play will be directed by Lu Kemp, artistic director for Perth Theatre. She said: ‘It is a complete joy to be working with a comedy icon like Karen on one of British theatre’s most recognisable comic characters. I can’t wait to see what she brings to a Scottish Lady Bracknell.’

Dunbar’s latest role was playing God in Still Game at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro!, and she has previously played a variety of stage roles from Shakespeare to panto, as well as her stand-up.

The rest of the cast for the run, from March  5 to 21, comprises Grant O’Rourke as Algernon, Amy Kennedy as Cecily, Caroline Deyga as Gwendolin and Daniel Cahill as Jack.

Published: 21 Jan 2020