A trivial comedy for serious people

“Untruthful! My nephew Algernon? Impossible! He is an Oxonian”
Lady Bracknell

Two bachelors, each with two different identities.
Two young women, each in love with a different Ernest.
One meddling mother, and
that infamous handbag!

Jack and Algernon are best friends, one the country squire, one the man about town... but Algernon knows Jack as Ernest, a persona adapted for city life...Jack loves Gwendolen, Algernon loves Cecily...Gwendolen and Cecily love two men called Ernest...Confused?... Enter Lady Bracknell with questions to be answered and that handbag to be found.

Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners and mistaken identity became an instant hit when it first opened in London in 1895. His effervescent, razor sharp social satire combined with high farce has ensured The Importance of Being Earnest has remained one of the most cherished plays in the English language.

Performance sponsor:

General Information

Seating Plan
Category: Drama

Running Time: 2 Hours 35 Minutes (including 20 min interval)
Post Show Talk: Monday 22 August with Erica Whyman and Wednesday 7 September with members of the cast.

Pre Show Talk: Tuesday 23 August at 6.15pm with Dr Anne Varty. Please book your free tickets at the Box Office. Talk venue – Top Room (not accessible to wheelchairs).

Audio Described Performance with Sight Lines: Saturday 10 September at 2.30pm Web resources available at www.oxfordplayhouse.com/education

StageCard: 50% off
Mon 22 Aug & Mon 5 Sep

For further details and information please call the Box Office on 01865 305 305 or email us