ABSTRACT
It is, we were told last night, ‘much harder to listen to nonsense than to talk it’; but not if it is good nonsense. And very good nonsense, excellent fooling, is this new play of Mr. Oscar Wilde’s. It is, indeed, as new a new comedy as we have had this year. Most of the others, after the fashion of Mr. John Worthing, J.P., last night, have been simply the old comedies posing as their own imaginary youngest brothers. More humorous dealing with theatrical conventions it would be difficult to imagine. To the dramatic critic especially who leads a dismal life, it came with a flavour of rare holiday. As for the serious people who populate this city, and to whom it is addressed, how they will take it is another matter. Last night, at any rate, it was a success, and our familiar first-night audience-whose cough, by-the-bye, is much quieterreceived it with delight….
