Theatre pioneers go Wilde in the Mansion House

They sent Sherlock hunting for clues round Treasurer’s House and turned the Guildhall into a courtroom for classic Agatha Christie.

So how do Theatre Mill top that? By going Wilde in the Lord Mayor’s digs of course.

The York company has brilliantly pioneered the art of matching play with place, and now turns the Mansion House into a gilt-edged backdrop for their production of The Importance Of Being Earnest, which starts on Friday, July 11.

Moved in time to the roaring Twenties, the production will mix Wilde’s unmatched wit with a Gatsby-like atmosphere of swing and fashion.

The audience will be the guests at an exclusive party which includes afternoon tea for matinées, a selection of cakes for the evening, and music played by The After Hours Quintet.

The food and music will add the sensorial richness typical of Theatre Mill’s productions.

“Despite its many adaptations for stage, film and radio this fantastic play is seldom staged in a site-specific environment,” said artistic director Samuel Wood.

The company is skilled at creating immersive experiences using real spaces and an impeccable attention to detail when it comes to costumes and set design.

In previous productions, such as the incredibly successful Witness For The Prosecution, the audience couldn’t help but feel transported into the past – so much so that we ended up thinking our modern clothes were quite eccentric.

The Importance Of Being Earnest, Wilde’s classic comedy about two men who invent fictitious friends to help them escape their social obligations, features Liam Tims and Adam Elms as leads John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff.

They made their Theatre Mill debut as Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson respectively in the critically acclaimed Sherlock Holmes And The Speckled Band.

A promising experience which is going to take place at the Mansion House from the 11th of July to the 17th of August. To book in advance in order to make sure you’ll be included in the exclusive party’s list.