The Importance of Being Earnest
A farcical comedy of double lives and mistaken identity.
The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde, the last of his four drawing-room plays, following *Lady Windermere's Fan*, *A Woman of No Importance*, and *An Ideal Husband*. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy that follows two young men about town who maintain double lives to escape unwanted social duties, both adopting the name Ernest while courting the women they love. The play is renowned for its wit and repartee, parodying contemporary dramatic conventions and gently satirising late Victorian social codes. Alongside the two pairs of young lovers, the characters include the formidable Lady Bracknell, the fussy governess Miss Prism, and the benign scholar Canon Chasuble. Contemporary reviews in Britain and abroad praised the humour, though some critics noted a lack of social messages.
The successful opening night marked the peak of Wilde's career but was quickly followed by his ruin. The Marquess of Queensberry, father of Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred Douglas, unsuccessfully plotted to throw rotten vegetables at the playwright at the performance’s end. This feud led to legal trials from March to May 1895, resulting in Wilde’s conviction and imprisonment for homosexual acts. Despite the play’s early success, Wilde’s disgrace forced its closure in May after 86 performances. After his release from prison in 1897, he published the play from exile in Paris but wrote no further comic or dramatic works.
From the early 20th century, the play has been frequently revived. The first production featured George Alexander, Allan Aynesworth, and Irene Vanbrugh; later notable performers include Mabel Terry-Lewis, John Gielgud, Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford, Martin Jarvis, Nigel Havers, and Judi Dench. The role of Lady Bracknell has occasionally been played by men. The play has been adapted for radio from the 1920s, for television since the 1930s, and filmed for cinema three times (directed by Anthony Asquith in 1952, Kurt Baker in 1992, and Oliver Parker in 2002), as well as turned into operas and musicals.
- type
- Play
- author
- Oscar Wilde
- premiere_venue
- St James's Theatre, London
- genre
- Farcical comedy
Lore & Background
The play follows Algernon Moncrieff and his friend Ernest Worthing, who both adopt the name Ernest to woo Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Jack Worthing lives a double life: as serious Jack in the country and profligate Ernest in London. Algernon similarly pretends to have a sickly friend named Bunbury to escape social obligations. The formidable Lady Bracknell, the fussy governess Miss Prism, and the benign Canon Chasuble are key supporting characters. The successful opening night marked the climax of Wilde's career but was followed by his downfall. The Marquess of Queensberry, whose son Lord Alfred Douglas was Wilde's lover, unsuccessfully schemed to throw a bouquet of rotten vegetables at the playwright. The play closed in May after 86 performances. Scholars note the influence of W. S. Wilde revised the subtitle from 'a Serious Comedy for Trivial People' to 'a Trivial Comedy for Serious People' and renamed characters Lady Brancaster and Algernon Montford to Lady Bracknell and Algernon Moncrieff. The part of John Worthing was written with actor-manager Charles Wyndham in mind.
Reader's Guide
The Importance of Being Earnest is considered Wilde's masterpiece and a defining work of late Victorian comedy. Its enduring significance lies in its brilliant wordplay, satirical treatment of social conventions, and the timeless appeal of its farcical plot. The play gently satirises late Victorian manners, particularly the hypocrisy surrounding marriage, class, and identity. Contemporary reviews praised its humour, though some critics had reservations about its lack of social messages. From the early 20th century onwards, the play has been revived frequently. Many notable actors have been associated with it, including John Gielgud, Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford, and Judi Dench. The role of Lady Bracknell has sometimes been played by men. Its legacy includes its influence on comic drama and its status as a staple of the theatrical repertoire.
Did You Know?
- The play's original subtitle was 'a Serious Comedy for Trivial People' before Wilde changed it to 'a Trivial Comedy for Serious People'.
- The Marquess of Queensberry unsuccessfully schemed to throw a bouquet of rotten vegetables at Wilde at the end of the opening night performance.
- The role of Lady Bracknell has sometimes been played by men in revivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Importance of Being Earnest?
It is a farcical comedy play subtitled 'A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,' in which two men maintain elaborate double lives under false names to dodge their social responsibilities. The story is driven by mistaken identity, courtship, and the absurdities of Victorian etiquette.
Who wrote The Importance of Being Earnest?
Oscar Wilde authored the play, and it serves as the final entry in his cycle of four drawing-room comedies. It is generally regarded as his most performed and most beloved theatrical work.
How does The Importance of Being Earnest end?
Jack and Algernon each end up marrying their respective love interests, Gwendolen and Cecily. The central joke resolves when both men discover their real first names are actually 'Ernest,' the very quality the women had been seeking.
When and where did The Importance of Being Earnest premiere?
The play opened at St James's Theatre in London in 1895. It was received as a farcical comedy and quickly became both a critical and popular triumph.
Why is The Importance of Being Earnest considered important?
It is widely praised for its razor-sharp wit and for deliberately subverting the conventions of contemporary stage drama. The work also lampoons the rigid class manners and social posturing of late Victorian England, cementing its place as a lasting cultural touchstone.
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