The Importance of Being...Earnest? As You've Never Seen Before
The Importance of Being... Earnest? Image credit Wichael Wharley - Mann Bros
Say It Again, Sorry? Presents: The Importance of Being… Earnest? At The Belgrade Theatre, from Thursday 2 November to Saturday 4 November 2023. Written by Joshua King, Simon Paris and Say It Again, Sorry?
Preview.
You might think you know this chaotic story of love, mistaken identity and double-lives, but you have never seen it like this before. Don’t miss this hilarious and unpredictable twist on the world’s favourite comedy classic presented by Say It Again, Sorry?
In this riotous twist on a much-loved classic the show opens to looming disaster; the actor playing Ernest in Oscar Wilde’s famed farce fails to arrive on cue. In a monumental effort to ‘save the show’, a real audience member is quickly cast in the lead role.
But this impetuous recasting sets off a hilarious chain of events that, one-by-one, renders the rest of the cast unable to continue their performances.
Stepping into the spotlight. Image credit Dylan Silk.
As more audience members are encouraged to step into the spotlight, led backstage for costume and make-up, impromptu auditions, the painting of portraits, the chanting of mantras; doing whatever’s needed to help the show go on, an absurd controlled madness ensues – until it feels as if there are almost as many audience members in the cast as there are in the audience.
This is a comedic masterpiece of meticulous logistics, meritoriously involved audiences, masterful stage management and celebrity cameos. The Importance of Being... Earnest? Is an exciting and hilarious experience both to watch and be part of as the innovative format creates an unexpected new experience every night. It’s a show for anyone who has enjoyed the high-jinx of The Play That Goes Wrong, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare and Austentatious.
An exciting and hilarious experience. Image credit Dylan Silk.
Developed alongside the company’s flagship open-rehearsal initiative, where audiences are invited into the rehearsal room to participate in the creative process, the show is written by Josh King, Simon Paris and Say It Again, Sorry?, and is directed by Simon Paris.
The company’s vision is for the public to recover ownership over their own creative power and contribute to the future of theatre as active participants, collaborators, and decision-makers. Their aim is to connect people to their inner artist and inspire creative expression in everybody.
Please note: There will be a free post-show Q&A following the Thurs 2 Nov performance.
