Theatre classic coming to the Rother Street Arts House

The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde, presented by Tread the Boards Theatre Company. Artistic Director is John-Robert Partridge at the Rother Street Arts House from Wednesday 19 August – 22 August 2026.

Preview by Charles Essex.

Following the superb production of Pygmalion, the next production at the Rother Street Arts House is the theatre classic The Importance of Being Earnest. Artistic Director John-Robert Partridge (JP), not only directs the play but stars in it as well.  JP has an impressive CV both on stage and behind the scenes and has directed and starred in productions ranging from Henry V to pantomime.  This will be no pantomime as JP can call upon Tread the Boards actors to pack the cast with experienced and highly talented professionals. 

The Importance of Being Earnest was Oscar Wilde’s last play.  The well-known plot depicts two young men-about-town who lead double lives as they try to avoid their obligations and responsibilities.  Both adopt the alias Earnest, and farcical results inevitably ensue.

JP’s decision to perform the play in the foyer rather than in the much larger main auditorium cleverly allows the audience to feel intimately involved in the action.  This mirrors one of the strengths of the venue’s sister venue, The Attic Theatre.

This production has all the ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable theatre experience: a great script, superb cast and an astute and experienced director – all with a proven track record.

Tickets from: Rother Street Arts House website. https://rotherstreetarts.org/