THEATRE REVIEW: The Importance of Being Earnest

It’s not often that I get to shows - usually when I go abroad. So while I do have a category for it, expect to see things added to it for maybe one month out of the year. Unless, of course, I actually start paying attention to the things that tour in my area.

That aside.

The Importance of Being Earnest was my priority ticket for this trip. It’s my favorite play ever, besides which it now has Stephen Fry playing Lady Bracknell. I’d heard positive things about the previous cast of this production (which included Ncuti Gatwa as Algernon), so I was looking forward to it.

Short version? I liked it in theory, but some things didn’t feel right in practice.

Production-wise, it took a handful of liberties. An early scene shows Algy (in this production played by Olly Alexander) in a big pink ballgown playing the piano at a party. It’s a fully drag, very lavish scene. It’s not a scene in the original, but it very much set the stage for the aesthetic of this specific production. Both in and of itself and as a marker for the mood of this production, I enjoyed it.

Visually it was lovely. The costumes were gorgeous and colorful, equal parts coordinated and opposing. (Algy’s white suit against Jack’s black mourning garb was a great image.) I liked the use of front-of-curtain mini-scenes to cover set changes. In other words, lots of fantastic choices.

But the actual directing of the cast felt like… a lot?

I remember seeing Stephen Fry as Oscar Wilde in Wilde. There was a scene where he was overseeing a rehearsal of Lady Windemere’s Fan, and he cautioned the cast not to luxuriate in their jokes and wordplay. To paraphrase, he said that the actors should act as though this is simply how people talk. I’ve taken that to heart, and I have noticed that Oscar Wilde feels wrong when you give his words the full send.

The four lead cast members - most of whom I’ve seen in other things and whom I’ve enjoyed in other performances - all played their roles as if they were constantly told to be bigger and more. And that’s not in reference to the content, like the playing-up of things Wilde himself had to keep hidden, but rather the delivery. So many of the upsells of lines (Miss Fairfax talking about “vibrations” being a big one) felt like someone somewhere in the production feared the audience wouldn’t understand the joke. Again, I’ve seen three of the four leads in other things, and I’ve seen them be fabulous. This feels more like delivering what the director wanted.

Algy, easily the one who could have gotten away with being the most flamboyant, was the one who carried this off best. He was still big, but he was big in a way that felt like that’s just who he was - not like his actor was digging for a laugh. And even when he was going what felt “too big,” it was always tone-matching another character. Even his asides to the audience felt natural where they could have felt like a bridge too far. I’m not at all familiar with Olly Alexander, but this performance has made me want to be.

It feels like a bit of a cop-out to say that Fry as Lady Bracknell was the linchpin of the production, but he really was. He was very clearly playing Stephen Fry as The Dame, which was probably the best way to approach it under these circumstances. But he let the lines do the work for him and got more natural laughs. He is easily my favorite Lady Bracknell so far, and far and away my favorite member of this cast. Could it be that the audience was primed to laugh for the national treasure? Maybe. I suppose. If I’m being diplomatic. But he and the rest of the “older gen” cast in general - specifically Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble, who were both fantastic separately and adorable together - felt somewhat more balanced.

The short version is I wanted to love this. I wanted to be fully in the joy of this vibrant production, and in many, many cases, I was. But I feel like this production was constantly at war with itself: making bright and bold additions to the set, the music, the casting, and yet feeling like Wilde’s words needed to be screamed to be appreciated. Was I disappointed? No. I still had a wonderful night, and I still loved what I saw. But I feel like my quest to see the best possible production of this play has been only half-fulfilled, and I still dream of the production that hits Just Right.

I wrote a book about Mawdryn Undead

 

As I was getting everything together to write this up, I saw this book listed as "announced August 2022 but delayed extensively." And friends, that is fair.

My Black Archive on Mawdryn Undead was commissioned ages ago, right in the midst of me attempting to be able to write again. That's a long story, probably one for another time. But it is a bit odd to see that people are paying attention to what I say I'll do and what I ought to be doing. Thank you, I guess?

All that aside. Yes, I have a new Black Archive coming out this month, this one on Mawdryn Undead. It's up for pre-order, or perhaps indeed for regular ordering by the time this post goes out (at which point I will be in London for a week and a half). It would be fabulous of you to pick up a copy.

So, for the people who have no idea what's going on. What's Mawdryn Undead, what's the Black Archive, why any of this?

So the Black Archive is a series of book-length studies of Doctor Who stories from all across the show's run. These are heavily researched, and the goal is always to present an in-depth look at these episodes. The angle will depend on the writer. Some write more about society and culture surrounding the series, some dive into the production, some go fully academic about themes and philosophy. As of this year, I'm an editor on the series (with Stuart Douglas, Philip Purser-Hallard, and Paul Driscoll also on board and having been on board for much longer).

Mawdryn Undead came out in 1983, and it's a fifth Doctor serial that introduces companion Turlough and kicks off the Black Guardian Trilogy. I've always had a soft spot for this serial and, after working on a Black Archive on Heaven Sent several years ago, I wanted to approach a 20th century story. The funny thing is, I don't think the version I would have written a few years ago would be the same as the one I did recently, even though I kept to the topics of my pitch. Between personal experiences and the context provided by the more recent seasons of Doctor Who, there's a lot that wouldn't have been present (or as clear) in an earlier version.

So what does get covered? Turlough's role as a companion, and indeed what the role of a companion is. The Brigadier's paradox-induced amnesia and how it parallels PTSD. The lottery of regeneration and how this episode uses that uncertainty in its story. The history of "ghost ships," including the one that inspired this story. Time paradoxes and how Mawdryn Undead added a new twist to the inherent paradox of Doctor Who. And, of course, the curse of immortality.

All that said, I'd love it if you grabbed a copy and let me know what you think. And treat yourself and go through the other Archives. As of mine, there are 80, covering every Doctor and even a few more obscure contributions. Plus, we've just had a fantastic run of pitches and have some great future Archives stacked up.

Do I have another Archive in future? I'm already working on it. I'll just leave you to guess which I'm going for next. In the meantime, keep an eye on the series, because the next few books are looking to be especially fun!

MANGA REVIEW: Nana 25th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 2

NANA 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, Vol. 2
by Ai Yazawa
Available December 2

NANA has become something of a mainstay in the worlds of both manga and fashion. Ai Yazawa's influence is massive, with collabs far and wide for the manga's 25th anniversary. And, of course, the new anniversary edition of the manga is also available. It goes without saying — this is glorious. But I'm going to say it anyway.

Volume 2 clocks in at 376 pages, continuing the comedic and romantic adventures of odd couple Nana and Hachi (also called Nana). The volume also includes bonus chapters with reader questions and commentary from Yazawa.

If you've never encountered NANA before, these anniversary volumes are the perfect approach. Yazawa's gorgeous art is reprinted beautifully, and the translation remains solid. And on a re-read of the series, it's no wonder this manga has struck a chord with so many young people. Through the eyes of the two Nanas, we witness the many facets of becoming an adult, and in turn becoming your own person. How much space should someone else hold in your life? How do you cope with love that's passed, love that isn't returned, or love you shouldn't chase? While the chance meeting between Nana K. and Nana O. has definitely changed their lives forever, it's the secondary characters who really bring everything together.

Anything by Ai Yazawa is a fantastic read, but there's a reason NANA has achieved this level of renown and longevity. Its intersection of music and fashion is a perfect setting for self-discovery, and these two similar-but-different characters continue to bring out interesting new sides of each other. Take this opportunity to see what all the hype is about.

TEA PAIRING: Edgar Allan Poe Tea Bundle
This is another reading selection that feels like it needs two teas. The strong, intense Poet's Study (one of my personal favorites) and the sweet, dreamy Dream Within a Dream are perfect matches for Nana and Hachi. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other book-inspired teas!

TEA REVIEW: Sugar Cookie Gifts

 

In the influx of gingerbread and peppermint flavored everything at this time of year (both of which I love!), one seasonal flavor tends to get underutilized. Simple sugar cookies are one of my favorite treats at this time of year, so I'm always delighted when a café or tea seller figures that into their seasonal blends. To that end, Chapters has added a decaf holiday blend to their listing: Sugar Cookie Gifts, a new take on rooibos for Christmas.

This new flavor takes its inspiration from the March family's cozy holiday in Little Women. Caffeine-free rooibos tea is paired with vanilla, honey, cinnamon, and rose petals to evoke Christmas cookies baking in the kitchen. And if you're trying to cut down on caffeine without cutting out cozy seasonal vibes, this could be a good alternative.

I've said this before, but it bears mentioning: I am very picky about rooibos. I'm one of that very small subset of people who tends to get a cough syrup taste off straight-up rooibos, so I put a lot of stock in good strong flavor to mask or otherwise temper that. So if you're like me and a little more sensitive to rooibos taste, you can trust me. We're the same, you and me.

Honey is the first scent to hit you when you open the bag, which is a pleasant surprise. I had a Bridgerton tea with a honey flavor profile, and I've been chasing that ever since. While it is the most forward scent, the honey blends into the overall flavor once this is steeped up, making for a very nice cookie flavor.

The medicine-y rooibos isn't fully masked, but it's definitely downplayed, to the point that the sugar cookie is first and foremost. I was surprised at the rose inclusion, since I'm a big fan of rose and generally immediately taste it anywhere it's used. But it sinks backward into the blend in a nice way, and I suspect that's a big part of what helps to even out the flavor.

I've only had this hot without milk or sugar, but I suspect this would make an excellent latte if steeped up strong enough. However you make it, I recommend serving it with Christmas cookies. It complements them perfectly.

Sugar Cookie Gifts is only available for a limited time. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: Fade Into You

 

FADE INTO YOU
by Amber Smith & Sam Gellar
Available now

The year is 1999, and teenagers Bird and Jessa are having multiple unique issues of their own when it comes to family and love. But these two strangers have one thing in common: their best friends are dating. As Bird watches Kayla start to act like an entirely different person, Jessa watches Dade become less and less interested in their usual music and movie get-togethers. After a rocky start, Bird and Jessa become uneasy allies in a shared venture: break up the new couple.

As they work together to sabotage the romance, however, they begin to get closer themselves. Jessa is a lesbian who happens to have been outed unceremoniously by Bird's stepsister, and Bird had summer romances with both a boy and a girl. Over time, they begin to catch feelings for each other. But between their uneasy ongoing friendships with Dade and Kayla, their troubles at home, and Jessa's fear of Bird suffering the same bullying she has at school, it isn't smooth sailing. As New Year's Eve (and Y2K) approaches, both will have to come to terms with how they navigate love and friendships.

Reading Fade Into You was an interesting exercise, since I was the same age as the protagonists in the year the novel takes place. From a nostalgia standpoint, it was a bit odd. The slang was anachronistic, with the majority of the attempts to place the story in time being dedicated to what movies were playing and what bands were popular with different demographics. A lot of the attempts at integrating this into dialogue felt odd (one character telling another she "let [her] fingers do the walking" when asked how she found a phone number). At the same time, there didn't seem to be any attempts to have the characters speak like 90s characters. If anything, the dialogue felt oddly modern. All of this feels strange considering at least one of the two authors is, according to a bit of quick research, of the same sort of age as Bird and Jessa.

And here is where I'm divided on Fade Into You. Placing Bird and Jessa's story right on the edge of Y2K — a time when everyone feared the collapse of the world, but the world moved on, thanks to quiet hard work under the surface — is extremely pleasing on a symbolic level. Too, taking young readers outside the discourse-driven world of 2025 to a time when discussions on mental health and sexuality were a mess is a good and important thing to do. In that respect, the book gets things absolutely right. One of the book's subplots, following Jessa's sister Mack and her struggle with BPD, mirrors the stigma I personally recall surrounding not so much having a mental illness as being seen to have a mental illness.

The short version is, Fall Into You is an excellent story (more specifically, two good character pieces) couched in a world that is the 90s socially while feeling like a 90s replica culturally and aesthetically. For the book's demographic, this might be the way to go. For all I know, a teenager would not be able to take a book seriously if the characters talked the way we actually did back then. If you're looking for a throwback to the era you lived in, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for a turbulent love story that also happens to have strong message about how to care for others while looking after yourself, it's a strong yes.

TEA PAIRING: Sugar and Spice Chai Tea Bundle
Normally I pair books with one tea, but Chapters' new chai bundle fits the central couple of Fade Into You perfectly. A combo of sweet, bookish Vanilla Chai (for Bird) and strong, bold Spice Chai Mélange (for Jessa), this bundle also comes with a basket steeper and quill spoon. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other orders from Chapters!

MANGA REVIEW: Gamera -Rebirth-: Code Thyrsos Vol. 1

GAMERA -REBIRTH-: CODE THYRSOS Vol. 1
by Hiroyuki Seshita and Cambria Bakuhatsu Taro
Available November 25

Like many, my first exposure to the kaiju legend that is Gamera was Mystery Science Theater 3000. Seeing the giant turtle beast make an honest-to-goodness comeback in recent years has been a lot of fun. And seeing that comeback extend to the world of manga, just two days before the franchise's 60th anniversary, is even better.

If you haven't seen Gamera -Rebirth-, you won't be completely in the dark. Heck, you won't be in the dark if you don't know a thing about the original monster. But if you know your kaiju, you're in for a treat as you watch them emerge in the world of this manga.

This prequel series takes place 100,000 years in the past, in the highly-advanced civilization of Elisitania. The upper echelons fight their battles using specially-manufacted kaiju. Protagonist Lucius watched his own father die in one such battle, and has been left scarred after protecting his sister Sica. Now, he's out for revenge — he plans to overthrow then entire system by immersing himself in the same research that tore his family apart.

While there are big monster fights to be had, and this story does indeed give us a backstory for the creature known as Gamera, this could easily be a stand-alone science fantasy. Cambria Bakuhatsu Taro's art is gorgeous, and the world of Elisitania will appeal to fans of high-tech historical legends like Atlantis. It's a very different approach to kaiju fiction, even in an era when kaiju fiction is going in all sorts of new directions, and it's as fun to look at as it is to read.

TEA PAIRING: Spice Chai Mélange
This sci-fi-inspired blend from Chapters evokes far-off times and places and massive beasts... just like Code Thyrsos! It's a spicy rooibos chai that's great for any time of day, especially for those of us trying to lower our caffeine intake. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!