The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
The Play.
The Importance of Being Earnest was written in 1895 and was labeled as “Trivial Comedy for Serious People”. Oscar Wilde depicts the Victorian social hypocrisy through his perfectly flawed characters.
Jack Worthing, a man who emanates seriousness and respectability, invents an eccentric brother named Ernest whose alleged mischievous deeds give Jack a reason to travel to London systematically to rescue him.
Gwendolen Fairfax is as sophisticated as she is pretentious and is entirely devoted to Jack Worthing, whom she believes to be called Ernest.
Cecily Cardew, a young but not so innocent girl, is seduced by the misdeeds of Jack's supposed brother without ever meeting him.
Meanwhile, Algernon Moncrieff, Jack’s best friend and the epitome of a dandy, poses as Ernest to woo Cecily.
When Jack, Gwendolen, Cecily and Algernon meet at Cardew Manor on the same weekend, mayhem ensues as the women quarrel for the exclusive attention of the pretend Ernest whilst the men try to claim back their sweethearts.
In the middle of this pandemonium, only a resentful tutor and a mislaid old handbag can unravel this mess…
The Cast.
Jack
Worthing
Jack Worthing, a man who emanates seriousness and respectability, invents an eccentric brother named Ernest. His alleged mischievous deeds give Jack a reason to travel to London systematically to rescue him.
Played by Arthur Margot.
Gwendolen Fairfax
Gwendolen Fairfax is as sophisticated as pretentious and entirely devoted to Jack Worthing, whom she believes to be called Ernest.She is an avid advocate of never being wrong.
Played by Muireann Walsh.
Algernon Moncrieff
Algernon Moncrieff, Jack's erratic best friend and the epitome of a dandy, is an expert in avoiding his duties by claiming to have appointments to see his fictitious invalid friend, Bunbury.
Played by Davide Bella.
Cecily
Cardew
Cecily Cardew, a young but not so innocent girl, is Mr. Worthing's fanciful ward. She gets seduced by the misdeeds of Jack's supposed brother without ever meeting him.
Played by Roxane Kokka.
Lady
Bracknell
Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's esteemed mother, causes fear and respect to anyone as soon as she walks into a room. Her ambition is to find the perfect match for her cherished daughter and forget she's related to Algernon.
Played by Diana Fernandes Palhares.
Mister
Prism
Mister Prism, devoted to a life of education, is Cecily's diligent tutor.Withered with guilt by his past actions, his only comfort is the time spent with Doctor Chasuble.
Played by Emiliano Cruz Aranda.
Doctor
Chasuble
Doctor Chasuble, a simple clergyman, enjoys spending time down at the Manor House to get a glimpse of the honorable Mister Prism.
Played by Can Cebeci.
Lane
Lane, Algernon's faithful butler, lives to serve and is at his master's beck and call.
Played by Leah Didisheim.
Merriman
Merriman is the Manor House's sluggish butler. His day's work primarily consists of smoke breaks, stealing food, and offending Lane's work ethic.
Played by Lili Solidaki.
“I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.”
—Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Poster for The Importance of Being Earnest © Lili Solidaki
John 'Jack' Worthing Arthur Margot
Gwendolen Fairfax Muireann Walsh
Cecily Cardew Roxane Kokka
Algernon Moncrieff Davide Bella
Lady Augusta Bracknell Diana Fernandes Palhares
Mister Prism Emiliano Cruz Aranda
Dr. Frederick Chasuble Can Cebeci
Lane Leah Didisheim
Merriman Lili Solidaki
Special thanks to Stephen Walsh for playing the piano.
Costume Design Alana Guarino Giner
Lights & Sound Baptiste Novello & Arno
Subtitles Philippos Kokkas
Directed by Lili Solidaki