The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personae to escape burdensome social obligations.
Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage and the resulting satire of Victorian ways.
Some contemporary reviews praised the play's humor and the culmination of Wilde's artistic career, while others were cautious about its lack of social messages. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play.
The successful opening night marked the climax of Wilde's career but also heralded his downfall.
The Importance of Being Earnest has been revived many times since its premiere.
It has been adapted for the cinema on three occasions. In a 1952 film Edith Evans reprised her stage interpretation of Lady Bracknell; a 1992 version directed by Kurt Baker used an all-black cast; and Oliver Parker's 2002 film incorporated some of Wilde's original material cut during the preparation of the first stage production.
Summary:
The story takes place on February 14, 1895. It is about two gentlemen pretending to be people other than themselves.
Interwoven in their storylines are two romance-stricken ladies, each possessing an unusual allegiance to the manliness of the name Ernest.
London man-about-town Jack Worthing, who hides behind the name Ernest, is an aristocrat from the country with uncertain lineage. His friend, Algernon Moncrieff, is of moderate means and has also created an imaginary character, Bunbury.
The Film:
1952, UK, Comedy.
Director: Anthony Asquith
Stars: Michael Redgrave, Michael Denison, Edith Evans, Joan Greenwood, Dorothy Tutin, Margaret Rutherford, Miles Malleson
The Play:
Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theater (California), February, 2018
Directors: Susan Dalian
Producer: Shira Dubrovner
Stars:Marcus Nobreus, Rob Gill, Juliana Olinka Jones, Leslie-Anne Hoxie, Madeline Roy, Stephen Gill, Jeffrey Frome, Karl Henize, Gigi De Jong.
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