Nigel Havers is king of suave in The Importance of Being Earnest

WHEN Nigel Havers starred in The Importance Of Being Earnest in 1982, he vowed to do it again soon.

But as the years went by and he still hadn’t reprised his role as Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, it looked like it would remain an unfulfilled ambition.

Yet here Nigel is, 32 years later, coming to Scotland and playing Moncrieff one more time.

“When I did it the first time round with the National Theatre, starring alongside Judi Dench and Martin Jarvis, we decided after we finished Martin and I that we must do it again in a few years’ time,” Nigel said.

“It never happened for one reason or another but we were having lunch last year and I said to Martin we should do it now.

“He thought we were too old, but we have got round that by making it a play within a play, where in effect the audience is coming along to see a dress rehearsal put on by a drama group, which means the cast is playing two parts.

“The audiences seem to love it and it’s great fun for us, too.”

Oscar Wilde’s much-loved masterpiece lampoons the hypocrisies of Victorian society and opens as two batchelors, dependable John Worthing and playboy Moncrieff, (played by Jarvis and Havers) feel compelled to create different identities in order to pursue two eligible ladies.

Nigel Havers and Martin Jarvis perform a scene from the importance of Being Earnest ( Tristram Kenton)

“It’s such a great play and so beautifully constructed,” Nigel continued.

“Wilde was a genius and this is probably the funniest comedy in the English language.

“It’s amazing to me how many people who come along haven’t seen it before and think this version is how the play was originally written by Wilde. By the end everyone seems to love it.

“Oscar’s grandson came to see it and said if his granddad was alive he would have loved it, too.

“It’s still so much of a joy to perform in this play and I actually think we give the roles more gravitas because we are older.”

Touring round the country and living from a suitcase is often seen as the downside to the theatre, but the 63-year-old says he enjoys visiting different towns and cities.

“My wife comes with me, so that makes it easier,” he admitted.

“I also try to go home for a couple of days each week, although I won’t be able to do that when I’m in Scotland.

“I love Glasgow and Edinburgh and I’m also very interested in the rivalry between the two cities.

“Glasgow is such a beautiful city now and I had a great time when I was last there.” To read about Sydney Devine at the Pavilion Theatre, click here Nigel’s first production of Earnest was one of a couple of National Theatre shows he did, which came hot on the heels of his part as Lord Andrew Lindsay in Chariots Of Fire in 1981.

He was BAFTA-nominated for the role and the film won Best Picture at the Oscars.

“The film was a surprise success and then I went to the National Theatre and did Earnest and I suppose I didn’t take in everything that was happening during that period until afterwards.”

Nigel’s highest profile role in recent years has been as suave but dastardly Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, a character he’s played on two occasions, first from 2009 to 2010 and then 2012-13.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=iIfgI0wPb54ITV

, Coronation Street“I had been watching the show since I was a kid and it was such great fun to do and everyone is so nice,” he said.

“I love its sense of humour and it’s very clever.

“I was actually on the Street just a few weeks ago because I was doing the show at The Lowry Theatre, which is nearby.

“Ben Price, who plays Nick Tilsley, is a great friend of mine and he invited me to come over and have a look at the new set.

“It’s looking really good and, as far as returning as Lewis again, never say never.”

The upper class sophisticate is the type of role he’s become synonymous with over the years.

“I’ve played lots of different characters but the ones that are the most successful are those suave ones,” he added.

“I just feel I’m lucky to be working and doing something I enjoy.

“I truly believe it’s down to luck and just being in the right place at the right time.”

The Importance Of Being Earnest, King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, from November 10 to 14; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from November 24 to 28