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The Importance of Being Earnest

‘The play delights in subversion, and so does this production.’ The Stage

‘One of the most stylish Wildes ever staged.’ The Times

‘A really fine Earnest’ The Telegraph

‘Denzel Westley-Sanderson’s laugh-out loud production delights from the off.’ North West End UK

‘Denzel Westley-Sanderson’s staging of the high-society comedy adds a welcome dose of playfulness amid the cucumber sandwiches’ The Guardian

‘ Thoroughly sparky and buoyant and taps into the best of Wilde’s writing.’ Always Time for Theatre

‘A special mention to the expressive Valentine Hanson, playing long suffering servants Merriman/Lane, who with glorious rolls of the eyes says so much, and he’s quite magnificent in one long running sight gag.’ North West End

‘There are no weak links in the eight-person cast.’ Morning Star

‘The play masterfully walks the line between comedy and social critique.’ Varsity

‘One of this production's strengths lies in its ability to elevate the strength of its female characters from material written more than 100 years ago.’ East Anglian Daily Times

Oscar Wilde's genius humour meets contemporary culture in a theatrical rollercoaster packed with shade, wit and plenty of gags.

2021 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award-winner, Denzel Westley-Sanderson breathes fresh new life into Wilde’s sharpest and wittiest comedy: The Importance of Being Earnest.

This is a classic satire, vibrantly retold about dysfunctional families, class, gender and sexuality.

Accompanying the tour is The Black Chronicles Exhibition in a Box, a pop-up photography display, showcasing studio portraits depicting sitters of African, Caribbean and South Asian descent during the Victorian era in Britain. The display is part of Black Chronicles – The Missing Chapter, an ongoing curatorial research programme led by Autograph, focused on unearthing nineteenth century photographs of black presences in Britain’s archives.
Find out more about Autograph and The Black Chronicles

An ETT, Leeds Playhouse and Rose Theatre production supported by a grant from the RTST

Trailer

Production Gallery

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Tickets

Leeds Playhouse

5 - 17 Sep 2022

Cambridge Arts Theatre

20 - 24 Sep 2022

New Wolsey - Ipswich

27 Sep - 1 Oct 2022

Northern Stage - Newcastle

4 - 8 Oct 2022

Liverpool Playhouse

11 - 15 Oct 2022

Rose Theatre

1 - 12 Nov 2022

Rehearsal Gallery

Videos

Creative Team

Director

Denzel Westley-Sanderson

Designer

Lily Arnold

Lighting Designer

Zoe Spurr

Sound Designer and additional composition

Beth Duke

Production Manager

Luke Child

Assistant Director

Becca Chadder

Casting Director

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Dramaturg

Phillippe Cato

Movement Director

Tinovimbanashe Sibanda

Associate Movement Director

Tonye Scott-Obene

Voice coach

Esi Acquaah-Harrison

Cast

Cecily

Phoebe Campbell

Merriman/Lane

Valentine Hanson

Miss Prism

Joanne Henry

Lady Bracknell

Daniel Jacob

Gwendolen

Adele James

Algernon Moncrieff

Abiola Owokoniran

Dr. Chasuble

Anita Reynolds

John Worthing

Justice Ritchie

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