Ryan Beil’s Wilde ride

TOVA G. KORNFELD

Theatre critics are clear: “Ryan Beil is quickly establishing himself as one of the most versatile and surprising actors in town.” “The sublime lightness of this production comes from young Beil’s remarkable performance; Beil milks every scene for all it’s worth.” “Beil steals the show with his superb timing and physicality.” This month, Vancouver theatre-goers are lucky to be able to catch Beil in the Arts Club Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s beloved play The Importance of Being Earnest.

Born and raised in Vancouver, and not quite 30, Beil has a BFA in theatre from the University of British Columbia. His work spans all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, from film to television to theatre, including stand-up comedy and improvisation. His portrayal in 2010 of the eponymous character in Billy Bishop Goes to War, where he undertakes the daunting task of playing 18 characters (of both genders), garnered him a Jessie Award for outstanding performance by a lead actor in a large theatre role. Beil also spent three summers at Bard on the Beach, where his roles have run the gamut from scoundrel to clown. In last year’s The Merchant of Venice, he shined as Gratiano. Biel also has a regular weekly improv night, Sunday Service, based out of the Hennessey Lounge on West Broadway, which has become a go-to destination for the alternative comedy crowd. He’s taken his comedy across Europe and North America.

However, Beil may be best known to all as the nerdy, bumbling guy in the A&W commercials. As for getting recognized wherever he goes because of the commercials, Beil told an interviewer, “I never thought it would get so big. I had to work really hard to get the gig at first and, when the first one was done, I thought, great, but they kept calling me back. I owe a lot to the people who write them and to the director. They were really pushing for me. I had no inkling it would ever keep going.”

Creativity runs in his family. His grandfather, Charlie Beil, was a well-known sculptor, responsible for the Calgary Stampede rodeo trophies and sculptures at the Prehistoric Park at the Calgary Zoo.

The acting community has recognized Beil with a number of awards. In 2005, he won the Sam Payne Award for most promising newcomer and, in 2010, he was nominated for three Jessies and was awarded one.

Now, Beil is taking the role of Jack in Wilde’s famous farce. Subtitled A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, the comedy of Victorian morals and manners is a scathing, tongue-in-cheek indictment of class-based, superficial, turn-of-the-century British high society. It explores matters of love, marriage and social status, issues that will resonate with contemporary audiences as much as they did with the 1890s theatre crowd.

The plot revolves around two young, wealthy playboys, each of whom has dual personae – a city identity and a rural one – the latter called Ernest. The duplicity comes to a head when both find themselves in the same country house masquerading as Ernest, each wooing a different woman – the perfect background for hi-jinks hilarity. Added to the mix and for some unknown reason, neither of the two pursued young women would consider marrying anyone who is not called Ernest. Try and figure that out.

The Arts Club cast is an impressive collection of local talent including Charlie Gallant, Simon Bradbury, Allan Gray, Allan Zinyk, Deborah Williams and Amber Lewis, all in the capable hands of David Mackay, who makes his Arts Club directorial debut with this production. There’s even a baby who pops out of a handbag. With luscious Victorian-era costumes and an inspired set by Israeli-transplant Amir Ofek, this is a theatre treat.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs until April 15. Tickets are available at 604-687-1644 or via artsclub.com.

Tova G. Kornfeld is a local writer and lawyer.

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