The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde's Unbeatable Comedy

Witticisms and handbangs abound in Walnut Street Theatre's new production of Oscar Wilde's classic play The Importance of Being Earnest. A perfectly-pitched comedy of manners, injected with moments of broad farce and slapstick, it's the perfect showcase for Wilde's favorite past-time - decontructing the trivial mores and rules of Victorian society. It was first performed in London in 1885 and has since become part of the theatrical canon.

The story follows the exploits of bachelors Algernon and Jack, whose both use pseudonyms (Bunbury and Earnest respectively) to get them out of various scrapes and tight spots. They're masquerade comes back to haunt them when, in their efforts to woo two lovely ladies, the imaginary Earnest and Bunbury prove to be more popular than their real selves!