As with all shows produced by The Rose Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest takes a familiar favourite by Oscar Wilde and makes it even better. While using all the original language, the play feels incredibly similar to the comedy commonly seen in sitcoms.
Taking the family to the Edinburgh Fringe? The Family Stage is here to help
We are wading through the ‘What’s On’ directory on the Edinburgh Fringe website to help you get to grips with it all. In the first of our Edinburgh Fringe previews, we’re focusing on the shows we’ve seen before. Whether you’re taking a toddler or teenager, you will find a show with the Family Stage seal of approval in our tried and tested list below.
‘It’s an inventive & hilarious modern adaptation of a classic’: Actor Tom Dixon stars in a new digital staging of The Importance of Being Earnest
The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes’ new digital co-production of The Importance of Being Earnest brings Oscar Wilde’s classic play up to date and transfers the action up north. I caught up with actor Tom Dixon, who plays Algy, to find out more.
‘Satirical throughout’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – The Dukes Lancaster (Online review)
This re-working of The Importance of Being Earnest is fun, frothy, and at a time when theatres are in the dark, provides a much-needed laugh, and laugh I did.
‘This adaptation is a joy to portray’: Melanie Marshall stars in a new digital production of The Importance of Being Earnest
Actress Melanie Marshall chatted to us about the upcoming digital production of The Importance of Being Earnest – co-produced by the Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes.
‘The cast is really very good at being really rather bad’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING… EARNEST? – Omnibus Theatre ★★★★
In a world where – if the virus won’t kill us, Donald Trump will – we really, really need good, well delivered, confident silliness and The Importance of Being Earnest delivers.
‘A version like you have never seen before’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Touring ★★★★★
The Importance of Being Earnest is a laugh out loud witty performance cleverly directed by Bryan Hodgson.
‘Polished & precise production’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Tower Theatre
Pan Productions’ unique and memorable adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest is the company’s first production in English, its cast being made up entirely of immigrants whose first languages include French, Turkish and Greek.
NEWS: The Turbine Theatre announces 2020 spring season
The Turbine Theatre has announced its spring 2020 season which includes the programming of a variety of new work and emerging talent from visiting companies, as well as the transfer of one of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s 2019 hit shows, #HonestAmy.
‘Keep an eye on these two extremely capable clowns’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – Tara Theatre
Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners is rightly regarded as a classic, so we must give thanks for Ayesha Casley-Hayford and Kudzanayi Chiwawa coming along and giving The Importance of Being Earnest a new lease of life, with the backing of Two Gents Productions and Tara Arts.
FEATURED SHOW: Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest at Drayton Arms Theatre, ★★★★★ reviews are in!
Oscar Wilde meets Shameless and the critics and Offies judges love it. We’ve rounded up our favourite review highlights for the new Yorkshire-set Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest, which continues at London’s Drayton Arms Theatre until 23 February. Get booking before it’s too late!
PHOTOS: Things got a little Wilde Yorkshire-style in Bein’ Earnest rehearsals
Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy is coming to Yorkshire… via London’s Drayton Arms Theatre this week. Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest had its get-in yesterday. What did the company get up to in rehearsals? See our photo gallery – and then get booking!
‘I got irked hearing Northern accents that are clearly being put on’: Luke Adamson on relocating Oscar Wilde to Yorkshire
Luke Adamson co-directs, co-produces and stars in Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest, which relocates Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy to a Yorkshire council estate. He pays tribute to Northern Broadsides’ Barrie Rutter, London’s Hope Theatre and his new company’s co-founders. Read our interview with Luke below – and then get booking!
NEWS: Wilde reimagining transports The Importance of Being Earnest to a Yorkshire council estate
Oscar Wilde’s best-known comedy of Victorian London manners receives a modern makeover via a modern Yorkshire council estate. Th’Importance of Bein’ Earnest premieres next month for a limited fringe season. Time to get booking!
Twenty shows to look forward to in 2019
So many of the recommendations for shows to see next year focus on the West End. And for sure, I’m excited to catch big ticket numbers like All About Eve, Come From Away and Waitress, but I wanted to cast my eye a little further afield.
‘It’s all unexpectedly & refreshingly good fun’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – West End
The notion that Michael Fentiman’s The Importance of Being Earnest has ruffled a few feathers by daring to do something different, plus the kind of casting that I could never resist, meant that I had to see for myself.
Running Wilde: How to manage a theatre season
As Classic Spring’s year-long Oscar Wilde season comes to a close, its timely to reflect on what it has achieved. Did the season really add anything to our perception of Oscar Wilde and his work?
‘Pleasant enough thing but there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking’: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – West End ★★★
In Michael Fentiman’s strictly period production, it’s hard to see what we’re meant to care about, and what is supposed to resonate with us. It’s a pleasant enough thing, but there’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about it.
Review Round-up: The Importance of Being Earnest at the Vaudeville Theatre
Michael Fentiman’s production of Oscar Wilde’s beloved comedy is the final production in Classic Spring’s year-long Oscar Wilde season, running until 20 October 2018 at the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre. Here’s what critics have been saying about it…
Mark recaps last week: Ruthie Ann Miles, Ian McKellen, Moulin Rouge, big openings & best reviews
From news headlines and Twitter gems to must-read columns and the biggest openings in London, New York and Edinburgh, Mark Shenton – currently resident in Provincetown, Massachusetts for the summer – rounds up the most interesting theatre goings-on that made his finely tuned radar. Ian McKellen, Rosemary Harris, Laura Wade, Mark Rylance, Dominic Dromgoole and desperate EdFringe review pleas all feature this week…