Press Release: The Importance of Being Earnest

Metro Theatre Vancouver is pleased to stage the madcap farce, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, and directed by Joan Bryans, November 5 – 20, 2022.

The title of the comedy is a play on words, with the two men deceiving those around them by using the name Ernest, while the word ”earnest” means both serious and sincere. The play is anything but serious, and the characters are anything but sincere in their names.

Mr. Wilde pokes fun at the ridiculousness of human behaviour, to tell a story that is both incredibly clever and undeniably silly. Mistaken identities, secret engagements, and lovers entanglements still delights audiences more than a century after its 1895 publication and premiere performance. The rapid-fire wit and eccentric characters of The Importance of Being Earnest have made it a mainstay of theatre.

Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax are both in love with the same mythical suitor. Jack Worthing has wooed Gwendolen as Ernest while Algernon has also posed as Ernest to win the heart of Jack’s ward, Cecily. When all four arrive at Jack’s country home on the same weekend the “rivals” to fight for Ernest’s undivided attention and the “Ernests” to claim their beloveds – pandemonium breaks loose. Only a senile nursemaid and an old, discarded hand-bag can save the day!

“A tale of mistaken identities,  lovers’ entanglements, rapid fire wit, cucumber sandwiches,  and the most famous handbag in theatrical history. “ Joan Bryans, Director.

Tickets:  $31.50 Senior/Student or $34.50 Adult (plus GST) can be reserved by calling
the Box Office 604 266 7191 or Purchase Tickets

Cast and Production Team

CAST (in order of appearance)

Lane/Understudy Algernon ………………………… David Hollinshead
Algernon Moncrieff …………………………………..…. Xander Williams
John Worthing ……………………………….……………… J.P. Liam McCulley
Lady Bracknell ……………………………..………………… Alison Schamberger
Gwendolen Fairfax ………………………………………… Hannah Everett
Cecily Cardew ………………………………………………… Maesie Kost
Miss Prism, Governess Geneva Perkins Merriman/
Understudy Gwendolen ……….……………………… Sarah Prato
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.  ….……………………… Matt Loop

PRODUCTION TEAM

DIRECTOR ………………………………………………… Joan Bryans
PRODUCTION MANAGER ……………………… Alison Schamberger
STAGE MANAGER ……………………………………. Chrysta Webster
ASM/PROPERTIES ……………………………….…… Barbara Walsh
SET DESIGNER ………………………………………..… Anne Savill
COSTUME DESIGNER ……………………………… Claire Turner
SOUND DESIGNER …………………………………… Roger Monk
LIGHTING DESIGNER ……………………..………… Amelia Wagenaar
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ………………………..…… Les Erskine
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ..………… Alex Ross
GENERAL MANAGER ………………………………… Les Erskine
SCENIC CARPENTER …………………………………. Robin Richardson
SET DECORATION ………………………………….….. Daisy Fung
SCENIC PAINTER ………………………………….…….. Emily Dotson
COSTUME/PROPERTIES MANAGER ………….. Claire Turner
PUBLICITY ………………………………………………..….. Debra Danny
GRAPHIC DESIGN ………………………………………. Barbara LaBounta
PROMO PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPHER ………….. Nancy Caldwell
PRODUCTION PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPHER … Tracy Lynn Chernaske

THE STORY

Two carefree young bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algie Moncrieff, each create alter egos to bring some excitement into their lives. Jack has created Ernest when he lives in the city.  There Gwendolyn lives, whom he loves and who will only love a man named Ernest. “The only really safe name is Ernest”.

When Algie finds out about Jack’s alter ego, he takes on the identity of Ernest himself to visit Jack’s house in the country.  There he meets Jack’s ward Cecily who thinks that Ernest is Jack’s brother.  Algie is instantly attracted to her and to his amazement, finds out that Cecily, having heard tales of him from her guardian, has been secretly in love with this Ernest for some time.  But she too is enamored with the name Ernest  “I pity any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest”.

Things quickly begin to unravel for all concerned when Jack arrives at his country estate, shortly followed by Gwendolyn and then her redoubtable mother Lady Bracknell.

Amongst the cucumber sandwiches, alter egos are laid bare with Jack admitting that he assumed the name of “Ernest” so that he could visit Gwendolen often and Algie admitting that he pretended to be “Ernest” in order to meet Cecily.

When all seems lost for the hapless pair,  an infamous handbag, with the help of lady Bracknell saves the day.

Fast-paced and sometimes biting, the play abounds with hidden romance mistaken identities, deceptions and secrets all wrapped up in the most glorious wit.  One of the cleverest comedies by one of the greatest writers of the English language.

Director’s Talk

Join director Joan Bryans and the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest immediately following the show on Friday, November 11, 2022 for an informal chat about:

1. The challenges of having only one intermission in a three act play.
2. Nothing to be learned from it, no moral, no message – what’s in it for us then?
3. How to talk like Ernest…. The Wildean style

After which, Joan will open the session up for questions from the audience.

There is no additional charge for the Director’s Talk, just stay in your seats or move up a bit closer to the stage – allowing for social distancing at all times.
The session will last approximately 20 minutes.