Limelight wild about being earnest.

One of Oscar Wilde’s most popular works is Wanneroo Repertory’s next production.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy which looks at fun, games and dubious ethics among the British upper crust.

Director James Hough Neilson says that although the play was first performed in 1895, Wilde’s witty dialogue and his social commentary on the hypocrisy of Victorian England are still relevant today.

“Sadly, it was his last play, as by this time the scandal over Wilde’s relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas was about to become public,” said Hough Neilson.

“While the scandal caused the play’s first production to close after just 83 performances, the quality of the play has ensured that has continued to amuse and entertain ever since.”

Wilde’s take on the mores and morals of the upper class centre on Algernon Moncrieff (played by Andrew Symes), a slightly shady but charming gentleman from a wealthy family who has a bad habit of throwing his money away.

Algernon has a close friend Jack Worthing (Tim Fraser), a self-made man who acts as a ward to his cousin, a beautiful young lady named Cecily (Emma Shaw). Algernon has created an alter ego to help him get out of tight spots brought on by his financial improprieties, and when he learns that Jack has created a false identity of his own - Earnest a brother living in London whose exploits have earned him no small amount of notoriety - Algernon arrives for a weekend visit in the country posing as the mysterious Earnest.

Having heard of Earnest's misadventures many times over the years, Cecily had developed something of an infatuation with the lovable rogue, and Algernon's impersonation of him works no small degree of magic on Cecily.

Meanwhile, Algernon's cousin. Gwendolyn (Susannah Devenish), arrives for the weekend and is startled to discover Jack is also there - except that she knows him as bad-boy Earnest.

Also featured in the production are David Nelson, George McCabe, Peter Shaw, Mark Nuttall, Maureen Barnett and Marie Corrigan.

Performance Dates: September 25, 26, 27, October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
Times: All shows commence at 8pm. Doors and bar open 30 minutes prior.
Venue: Limelight Theatre, Civic Drive, Wanneroo
Tickets: $18 Full $15 Conc $10 Child
Bookings: 9571 8591 (9am-12noon Mon to Fri)
or book online here