The Importance Of Being Earnest

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Opened 29 January 2008, closed 26 April 2008 at the Vaudeville Theatre in London

A major revival of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy The Importance Of Being Earnest in London starring Penelope Keith as 'Lady Bracknell'.

"Penelope Keith... a wonderful performance, a joy" The Financial Times

Subtitled 'A trivial comedy for serious people', Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is bursting with hilarious lines and extraordinary twists of fate and sparkles with the witty dialogue of its genteel protagonists, proving to be one of the most popular plays ever written - and as fresh and funny as when it was first performed in 1895.

"Peter Gill's sparkling revival" The Guardian

Prim-and-proper Jack Worthington is in love with the equally prim-and-proper Gwendolyn Fairfax. His friend, Algernon Moncrieff, is in love with Cecily Cardew. But both Gwendolyn and Cecily are in love with Ernest. Add the magnificently imposing Lady Bracknell, a nanny with a dubious story about a handbag and the result is a delightful entertainment bursting with Oscar Wilde's trademark one-liners.

"Peter Gill's deliciously entertaining revival. Penelope Keith - a delight" The Independent

This revival of The Importance of Being Earnest in London stars Penelope Keith as 'Lady Bracknell' along with Harry Hadden-Paton as 'Jack', Rebecca Night as 'Cecily', William Ellis, Daisy Haggard, Janet Henfrey, Maxwell Hutcheon, Roger Swaine and Tim Wylton. Casting subject to change. The producton is is directed by respected director Peter Gill and features designs by William Dudley.

"An opulent, shamelessly enjoyable production" The Daily Mail

"The Importance Of Being Earnest is a brilliant parody of English upper-class life, a life endearingly snobbish, defiantly idle and only remotely connected with reality. Peter Gill's production glitters like a many-faceted diamond... Penelope Keith is Lady Bracknell, holding the great trumpet voice in lofty restraint: a star giving a star performance, she knows that charisma is quite enough." The Sunday Times

"Peter Gill's production left me elated and delights... the playwright's genius shines through"
The London Evening Standard

"Penelope Keith sweeps on to the stage, shimmering in purple and gold brocade, a feather aflutter in her hat, Lady Bracknell to the manner born. And so she proceeds, effortlessly, in the imperious mode. She listens with dignified disapproval as Ernest, her daughters suitor, details his humble handbag origins... Its a strikingly assured performance in Peter Gills fresh, spirited and handsome production of Oscar Wildes The Importance Of Being Earnest - William Dudley has created a modishly tiled drawing room, a terrace spilling with roses and a grand library appropriately painted with dramatic hunting scenes." The Mail On Sunday

"Peter Gill's production... pitch perfect in its period charm" The Sunday Express

"After her part in the disastrous attempt to revive To the Manor Born over Christmas, one hoped against hope that Penelope Keith would be able to redeem herself as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. There are precious few great roles available on the English stage for actresses of Miss Keith's age, but this formidable old dragon is undoubtedly one of them. Alas, so far from making the most of this gift, Miss Keith leaves it all but unwrapped... Peter Gill's production of Wilde's masterpiece is otherwise a great joy to behold, with some beautful sets by William Dudley, immaculate costimes by Joan Hughes... made this one of the most staggeringly good-looking productions I have seen in years" The Sunday Telegraph