More2Screen presents
#ImportanceOfBeingEarnest
THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING EARNEST
By Oscar Wilde
Broadcast LIVE from the Vaudeville Theatre to this cinema at 7.15pm
CAST
Lady Bracknell
John Worthing, J P
Algernon Moncrieff
Hon Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess
Rev Canon Chasuble, D D
Lane, Manservant
Merriman, Butler
Footman
PRODUCTION
David Suchet
Michael Benz
Philip Cumbus
Emily Barber
Imogen Doel
Michele Dotrice
Richard O’Callaghan
David Killick
Brendan Hooper
Mark Hammersley
Director
Set & Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Music
Sound Designer
Producers
Adrian Noble
Peter McKintosh
Howard Harrison
Larry Blank
Gareth Owen
Kim Poster & Nica Burns
Directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon
Distributed to cinemas worldwide by More2Screen
Running time 165 mins. Finish time 10pm (approx)
Intro 15 mins | Act 1 37 mins | Interval 15 mins | Act 2 50 mins | Interval 15 mins | Act 3 31 mins
Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the most enduring plays in
British theatre. Performed shortly before Wilde fell foul of society’s unbending condemnation, this farcical
comedy fizzes with wit as Wilde delights in debunking social pretensions and piercing the hypocrisy and
pomposity of the Victorian Era. The play has been revived many times since its premiere at St. James Theatre,
London on 14 February 1895, and it has also been adapted for cinema on three occasions.
This live broadcast includes exclusive interviews with the director Adrian Noble and actor David Suchet.
THE STORY
ACT 1
Opens in Algernon's morning room in London. His friend "Ernest" arrives and asks about Algernon's cousin
Gwendolen. Ernest has every intention of marrying Gwendolen, despite the fact that her mother Lady Augusta
Bracknell refuses to entertain the idea. During the conversation between Algernon and his friend, it becomes clear
that "Ernest" is really named Jack and that he has invented a younger brother named Ernest to have an excuse to
escape from his dreary life in the countryside. Jack was adopted at a young age by a very wealthy man named
Thomas Cardew and has spent his adult life caring for his now-deceased benefactor's daughter, Cecily. Algernon,
who has expressed nothing but cynicism about life in general and, in particular, the concept of marriage, expresses
great interest in this young Cecily. He wishes to meet her.
Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell is displeased that
Jack is present and makes every attempt to keep Gwendolen at a distance, but the young woman is clearly
interested in Jack and ignores her mother. Soon, Lady Bracknell and her nephew Algernon move to another room
because Algernon agrees to give his friend time alone with Gwendolen to make the proposal. Jack professes his
love to Gwendolen. The proposal is a total success, with one exception: Gwendolen loves the false name "Ernest,"
which Jack has been calling himself and she cannot envision herself with a man by any other name. Jack resolves to
have his name changed as soon as possible.
THE STORY (Cont’d)
When Gwendolen tells her mother that she wishes to marry “Ernest”, Lady Bracknell dismisses her nephew and
daughter, and discusses the matter with Jack. She is very pleased at his wealth, but she is horrified by his origins,
discovering that he was found by the generous Mr. Cardew in a handbag. She requires him to find relatives
immediately or forget the idea of marriage altogether.
ACT II
Opens with Cecily and her governess, Miss Prism, in the garden at Jack's countryside home. Cecily is bored of her
studies and encourages Miss Prism to go on a walk with the rector, Dr. Chasuble. She is eventually successful, and
Algernon arrives, disguised as Jack's younger brother Ernest, whom Cecily has heard a great deal about, but never
met. Algernon is smitten with her and he asks her to marry him, to which she agrees.
Jack returns home, mourning the supposed death of Ernest, and is furious to find Algernon masquerading as his
imaginary brother. He attempts to send Algernon away immediately, but Algernon instead remains and continues
courting Cecily, who makes it clear that, like Gwendolen, she cannot love or marry a man by any other name than
Ernest. Algernon quickly resolves to have his name changed as well and he asks Dr. Chasuble to christen him as
"Ernest”. While Cecily is on her own in the garden, Gwendolen appears, looking for Ernest. Confusion breaks out
when they both assume they have become engaged to the same man. When Algernon and Jack both return, they
are confronted by the women. Jack is forced to admit that he has no brother and that Ernest is a complete fiction.
Cecily and Gwendolen leave the men in the garden alone to dwell on their dishonesty and the two end up
squabbling over muffins.
ACT III
Opens in the library of Jack’s countryside home. The four reunite and the women forgive the men for their lies.
However, they explain that they cannot marry men without the name of Ernest. Both men confess to planning to
have their names changed. Lady Bracknell appears, furious at her daughter's escape, and is introduced to Cecily.
When she discovers she is very wealthy, she immediately approves of the bankrupt Algernon's marriage to her, but
Jack refuses to allow it unless he is allowed to marry Gwendolen. Owing to Jack’s lack of parentage, Lady Bracknell
stands by her initial refusal and so both couples are prevented from being engaged. However, when Dr. Chasuble
and Miss Prism arrive at the scene, the circumstances are significantly altered as the characters face a surprising
revelation.
“A magnificent performance…
majestically funny”
“David Suchet shines as Lady
Bracknell”
Michael Billington, The Guardian
★★★★
Paul Taylor, Daily Telegraph
★★★★
“Laugh-loud funny… all-out joy”
“It’s an ensemble triumph”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
★★★★
Dominic Maxwell, The Times
★★★★
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