The Importance of Being Earnest: 03/24/09

Fandom is a double edged sword. It can be good for the ego and dangerous for body. Add to the mixture of a sexually repressed society, a homosexual extra marital affair and a homophobic father and you have a career ender. That's of course not the plot of Oscar Wilde's most famous play The Importance of Being Earnest but the true life drama surrounding the play.

The play itself is a pretty tame farce of mistaken identities and promises of marriage if only the parties involved can unravel who is who. At the heart of the matter is the question of who is Earnest and who is Jack Worthing. Jack is a foundling, having been left a train station in a bag as an infant.

The play is three short and silly acts with lots witty dialogue. Sometimes it's confusing to read but on stage it's a riot. I've seen it performed ages ago but this was the first time for me to read it.

Comments (6)

Comment #1: Wednesday, March, 25, 2009 at 15:16:21

Ruthie

I got to perform in this play when I was a lot younger - it was a blast!

Comment #2: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 21:33:12

Pussreboots

I bet it was! Thanks for sharing.

Comment #3: Saturday, March, 28, 2009 at 10:23:31

Carrie, RtK

I have this sitting on my shelf as well, having never read it but having see the stage productions a time or two. I look forward to it!

Comment #4: Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 17:42:13

Pussrboots

Curl up with your favorite drink in your favorite reading spot. You can read the play in about an hour.

Comment #5: Saturday, March, 28, 2009 at 11:43:21

Sarah

I have never read tihs play, but it's on my list. I was always curious about The Picture of Dorian Grey and finally read that. Wilde certainly could write an entertaining story.

Comment #6: Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 17:45:12

Pussreboots

The Picture of Dorian Grey is my favorite of his works. It's on my list of to be re-read books.