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The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

Adapted by I. E. Clark from Oscar Wilde's masterpiece.

Product Code: IC4000

  • One-act Play
  • Comedy
  • Cast size: 5m., 4w.

    Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available

Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.

* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

$9.95 /script

Min. Royalty Rate: $40/perf

In stock

Synopsis

Oscar Wilde is a master of sophisticated comedy, and The Importance of Being Earnest is his masterpiece. Like all the composers of classics, Wilde injected timeless messages into his plays. Although the play was written near the end of the 19th century, the message is still valid—a person's name and heritage mean little; it's what you make of yourself that counts. Oscar Wilde wraps up his message into a delightful package. Two charming young ladies—sophisticated Gwendolen from the city and naive Cecily from the country—are in love with Earnest Worthing. But there is no such person as Earnest Worthing. Gwendolen thinks Jack is Earnest, and Cecily thinks Algy is Earnest. Each girl swears that she could never love a man who wasn't named Earnest. In the midst of all this confusion comes Lady Bracknell, who doesn't like the idea of anybody loving anybody. It sounds like a big mess, but Wilde unwinds this knotty affair into one of the favorite comedies of English literature. The two sets needed for this play have been the downfall of other one-act versions. A consistent contest winner, this adaptation combines the three acts into one and provides for the necessary set change without a break in the action.

Notes

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Details

  • Status

    In stock

  • Type of Show One-act Play
  • Product Code IC4000
  • Cast Size 9
  • Min. Royalty Rate $40/perf
  • Cost $9.95
  • Approx. Run Time 35 min

Categories

  • Target Audience High School | College and Adult
  • Performing Group High School | College Theatre | Dinner Theatre
  • Genre Comedy
  • ISBN(13) 9780886800895
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

Customer Reviews

"This is a wonderful short version of this show for competition purposes."
Review by Hollie Shepherd, Little Rock Christian Academy, Little Rock, Ark.

Productions

Location City State Opens Closes
Nixa High Nixa Missouri 2/25/2025 4/23/2025