A star-studded satire to last the ages

Oscar Wilde's witty comedic farce exposing the class hypocrisies of Victorian society, receives another West End outing, with an all-star cast. The Importance of Being Earnest still sparkles thanks to its whip-smart script which remains relevant still to this day.

This perpetually popular satirical play examines the hypocrisies of morality and good breeding amongst the Victorian chattering classes. It receives another revival in the West End, this time starring stage favourites Nigel Havers, Rosalind Ayres, Cheri Lunghi and Martin Jarvis.

What Is The Importance of Being Earnest About?

Two dandyish bachelors, Jack and Algernon, who have created new and vastly different identities for themselves in the hope of avoiding tedious social engagements, now find themselves trapped by their lies. Throw into the mix two well-to-do young ladies - Cecily Cardew and Gwendolyn Fairfax - both of whom the young men have set their sights upon, an imaginary errant brother called Ernest and these troublesome double identities result in all manner of trouble for the pair.

The shenanigans began some time ago when the very eligible Hertfordshire bachelor, John Worthing, created a fictitious older brother named Ernest - an identity he used to hide behind when he escaped the country for weekends in London. His arrangement starts to go wrong however when he lets Algernon Moncrieff in on his plan, and Algernon decides that since Ernest doesn't actually exist he might as well use him to his advantage!

Oscar Wilde's Wildy Witty Play

The word 'Earnest' as used in the title is a play on words as it both relates to both Jack's fictional brother "Ernest" as well as the Victorian desire for 'earnest' and honest values - ironically, a quality that neither Jack or Algernon possess. The script is often praised for having some of the best dialogue ever written for theatre, despite the play leading to Wilde's arrest and imprisonment for homosexuality.

Did you know?

The Importance of Being Earnest received its world premiere right here in London on Valentine's Day, almost 120 years ago.