West End actors come to Furzey Gardens

2 August 2021

London Touring Players return to the New Forest this summer with The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s hilarious comedy.

Playing nightly from 24 August to 4 September this sparkling classic will be presented open air in the enchanting Furzey Gardens, tickets available here.

The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the most famous plays in the English language packed with unforgettable characters and dripping with wit. The beautiful gardens promise to chime with the elegance of Wilde’s world in this dynamic production, suitable for all the family.

Expect comedy, magic and riotous live music hall punctuating the action.

London Touring Players are fast establishing an impressive reputation in the New Forest and beyond. Last summer they presented A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet in the woods of the Countryside Education Trust and at Christmas enchanted audiences with a magical promenade production of A Christmas Carol against the backdrop of Beaulieu Abbey ruins. This year sees many of the cast of West End actors return creating an ensemble of talented actors, passionate about bringing theatre to the New Forest.

Furzey Gardens is a tranquil woodland garden and tea rooms nestled deep in the New Forest National Park near Lyndhurst that is open daily to visitors. The gardens are run by local charity Minstead Trust and provide support and work experience for people with learning disabilities.

Tickets: www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/earnest

Director Abbey Wright said: “‘The Importance of Being Earnest” is one of the funniest plays ever written. It flies along at a great pace and is a joyful and mischievous celebration of love. The Furzey gardens setting is incredibly pretty and magical as night falls. Brought to you by a company of world class actors from London’s West End, this production will feature music hall songs performed live throughout, romance and high comedy. It will be a joyous and uplifting evening out for the whole family, in a covid secure, socially distanced, open air setting.”

Alasdair Buchan, playing Algernon said: “The greatest joy of the past year has been coming to Beaulieu to create unique and magical productions in these stunning settings. I’m honoured to have been asked back to appear in such an iconic play and share the remarkable wit and riotous nonsense of Wilde’s world with audiences.”