The Importance of Being Earnest | Stratford Festival Official Website | Stratford Festival

Large text in the centre reads, The Importance of Being Earnest. Behind, a young gentleman and woman sit with an older woman, enjoying tea. Behind them, another young gentleman and woman stand with a tower of sandwiches.

Fiona Reid. Photo: David Hou

John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are wearing Victorian-era clothing. They sit on a sofa on a colourful stage set, one holding a tiered cake stand.

Joe Perry and Carter Gulseth. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are standing back-to-back in the centre, while Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax stand on either side of them, gesturing toward them.

Marissa Orjalo, Carter Gulseth, Joe Perry and Allison Lynch. Photo: David Hou.

By Oscar Wilde

Directed by Krista Jackson

Audience Advisory »

A trivial comedy for serious people

Two dashing men-about-town create false identities to escape social obligations and win the hearts of the women they love, only to find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and absurd expectations. Set in Victorian England, this sharp-witted and hilarious comedy skewers manners, marriage and the pursuit of sincerity in a world obsessed with appearances.

Venue Capacity: 1,077 seats

Runtime: 2 hours and 26 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission*
*Run times are approximate

Download House Program

Resources:

The Importance of Being Earnest Short

The Importance of Being Earnest Study Guide

MEIGHEN FORUM EVENTS

CAST & CREATIVE

CAST

CREATIVE

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are wearing Victorian-era clothing. They sit on a sofa on a colourful stage set, one holding a tiered cake stand.

Joe Perry and Carter Gulseth. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing is kneeling and holding Gwendolen Fairfax’s hands beside a tea cart in a bright, decorative sitting room.

Joe Perry and Allison Lynch. Photo: David Hou.

Lady Bracknell is seated and John Worthing is standing beside her in a vibrant decorative sitting room.

Fiona Reid and Joe Perry. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing stands in the garden while Cecily Cardew stands behind him with Algernon Moncrieff, who is holding a hat in his hand with his arms outstretched.

Joe Perry, Marissa Orjalo and Carter Gulseth. Photo: David Hou.

Cecily Cardew sits on a bench in a garden beside Gwendolen Fairfax, who is holding a monocle to her eye.

Marissa Orjalo and Allison Lynch. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing is bowing to kiss Gwendolen Fairfax’s hand in a garden.

Joe Perry and Allison Lynch. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are standing back-to-back in the centre, while Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax stand on either side of them, gesturing toward them.

Marissa Orjalo, Carter Gulseth, Joe Perry and Allison Lynch. Photo: David Hou.

Lady Bracknell sits holding a parasol in a decorative sitting room.

Fiona Reid. Photo: David Hou.

Algernon, Cecily, Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell and Rev. Chasuble gathered around a decorative sitting room as John addresses Miss Prism.

Members of the company. Photo: David Hou.

John Worthing presents a large bag to Miss Prism, who is seated in a decorative sitting room.

Joe Perry and Lucy Peacock. Photo: David Hou.

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