“With its striking black and white sets, the weaving of strains from a string quartet, and not to mention, the all-male cast, W!LD RICE’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest is certainly the most arresting local rendition of Oscar Wilde’s last and most oft-produced play… visually ravishing and especially in this day and age, extremely compelling.” – The Business Times, Singapore
Two dashing romeos bend the truth to spice up their lives. Jack has invented a brother, Ernest, whom he uses to escape his dull country life and to woo the ravishing Gwendolyn. His best friend Algernon also decides to take the name ‘Ernest’ to cosy up to Jack’s beautiful ward, Cecily, in the country. However, things get messy when their deceptions are discovered, threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the world’s most enduringly popular comedies, boasting some of the funniest lines in the English language.
In WILD RICE’s exciting production, celebrated theatre and film director Glen Goei puts a provocative spin on this comic masterpiece by casting an all-male ensemble – revealing new insights into Wilde’s comedy about courtship, hidden identities, and the foibles of high society.
With a sensational international cast, dressed to the nines by fashion doyen Frederick Lee, and live music by The Ensemble Dimension Players, The Importance of Being Earnest promises to lift your spirits with an evening of sparkling wit, laughter and love.
This radical, gender-bending and absolutely W!LD interpretation of Wilde’s classic premiered in Singapore in 2009 to much critical and popular acclaim. After a sold-out three-week run in 2009, it went on to win three awards at the 2010 Life! Theatre Awards for Best Production, Best Supporting Actor (Chua Enlai), Best Costume Design (Frederick Lee) as well as nominations for Best Director (Glen Goei) and Best Supporting Actor (Ivan Heng). The production was re-staged to critical acclaim in 2013 in Singapore.
The Importance of Being Earnest played to sold out performances at the Macao Arts Festival in 2014, and it recently had its Australian premiere in 2015 at the Brisbane Festival.
