Theatre West Four presents

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

Wilde's exquisitely witty comedy

There can be few theatre or cinema goers who are not familiar with Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest if only for Dame Edith Evans exquisite rendering of "A handbag?" – a line which, interestingly, does not appear in all editions of the play.

Familiarity, however, does not necessarily breed contempt and the play has been a favourite with audiences and actors alike since the first production in 1895.

In case there is anyone out there who does not know the plot, the play concerns two young men about town who adopt aliases in order to pursue their social lives unhindered by Society's possible disapproval. They meet their match in the girls of their romantic choices who also lead fantasy existences, albeit only in the pages of their diaries. A problem arises when both girls reveal that they are engaged to a man called Earnest who does not appear to exist.

All ends happily ("that is what fiction means") and the way to that end is garlanded in exquisite, witty dialogue which is a joy to deliver and to hear.