Cast

Synopsis

Algernon and Jack are wealthy young-men-about-town who chafe against the limitations imposed upon them by society. Each has devised his own subterfuge for escaping into more pleasurable activities and we follow the wooing of the young ladies of their choice. Unfortunately the two ladies in question are strong-willed and independent of mind and have determined that their future husbands must be named Ernest – which makes life difficult for Jack and Algy. Jack’s difficulties are compounded by his limited knowledge of his family and background, a shortcoming which Lady Bracknell seizes upon with great astonishment and antagonism. The resolution of the mystery provides the happy ending. Oscar Wilde wrote his “trivial comedy for serious people” to entertain a society which valued style and cleverness of speech above all else, particularly in matters of importance, and this is mirrored in the play.

Directors Notes

It is impossible to think of Oscar Wilde without bringing to mind the comedy and the tragedy of his life. Those who wish to can find plenty of evidence of his belief that “Life imitates Art” in his writing. “The Importance of Being Earnest” was dashed off in a few weeks and yet has become perhaps the greatest English language comedy of the last hundred years. Wilde wrote it at a time of great psychological and material pressure (he was strapped for cash and he was about to be brought low by his own love and his generosity) and yet it flowed from his pen with sparkling wit and apparent ease..’We should,”said Wilde, “treat the trivial things of life very seriously, and the serious with sincere and studied triviality”. So for you, our serious-minded audience, we trivial people present our end-of-season play, for – as we all know – “it is through Art and Art only that we can”, in Wilde’s own words, “shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence”. Have fun!