"The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People" by Oscar Wilde is a late 19th-century play that humorously critiques Victorian society through themes of mistaken identity and social absurdities. The story centers on two friends, John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who each adopt fictitious personas to escape societal obligations and pursue romantic interests.
The play begins in Algernon Moncrieff's luxurious flat, where he engages in witty banter with his servant Lane about the trivialities of life and marriage. John Worthing, known as "Ernest" in the city, visits Algernon with the intention of proposing to Gwendolen Fairfax, Algernon’s cousin. During their conversation, Algernon exposes John's double life and introduces the concept of "Bunburying," the practice of inventing an imaginary persona to avoid unwanted duties. This lighthearted deception becomes the foundation for the play’s comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements.
As the story unfolds, the two men navigate their relationships with Gwendolen and Cecily Cardew, leading to a series of farcical situations and clever dialogue. Wilde’s sharp wit and playful satire highlight the contradictions and pretensions of Victorian norms, making the play a timeless comedic masterpiece.

LONDON: ST. JAMES’S THEATRE

FIRST ACT
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SECOND ACT
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THIRD ACT
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