The Importance of Being Earnest, Barnfield Theatre, Tuesday 28th September to Saturday 2nd October
Exeter Little Theatre Company will bring Oscar Wilde’s widely renowned romantic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest to the Exeter Barnfield Theatre this September.
Earnest, the last and possibly best known of Oscar Wilde’s plays, tells the hilarious adventures of the wealthy and eligible bachelors Jack Worthing (played by Matt Ridley) and Algernon Moncrieff (played by Jason Salmon) and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love.
Jack, in an attempt to escape from his dull country life and cavort in the town, has invented an imaginary brother named Ernest. Algernon uses a similar technique to give him reason for taking adventures in the country by inventing an imaginary friend named Bunbury.
However, their deceptions inevitably cross paths resulting in a series of misadventures that threaten to spoil their romantic endeavours: Jack of his love for the ravishing Gwendolyn Fairfax (played by Kelly Barton), and Algernon of the beautiful and young Cecily Cardew (played by Hannah Brooks).
Making her directorial debut for the company, Orla Kelly said: “Directing Wilde’s ‘trivial comedy for serious people’ is a challenge, but one which I am relishing, particularly with the marvellous cast and crew of Exeter Little Theatre Company behind me.
“Wilde’s witty language and scathing satire have transcended the play’s context, with its social commentary as relevant today as the day it was written. In particular the bright young things, who are nothing but look everything, resonate sharply with today’s celebrities, where ‘style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.”
Exeter Little Theatre Company, a well established drama group in Exeter, is known for producing a diverse programme of plays, musicals and pantomimes. Last year was the most successful year the company has known in recent history, and Earnest is set to build on this success.
The company is always looking for new members to continue bringing the best of theatre to the city. For more information, visit www.eltc.org.uk.
The Importance of Being Earnest is at the Exeter Barnfield Theatre from the 28th September – 2nd October.
Tickets cost £10 or £8 for Concessions. To book ring the box office on 01392 270891.