Oscar Wilde's Final Play

The Importance of Being Earnest was created in 1895 and is considered one of the greatest comic masterpieces of all time.

Overview

The Importance of Being Earnest is a farce that explores themes of love, religion, and truth through the story of two men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who bend the truth to add excitement to their lives. Jack invents an imaginary brother, Ernest, as an excuse to escape his dull country home and gallivant in town. Meanwhile, Algernon follows Jack's scam, using his imaginary friend, Bumbury, to enjoy adventures in the country. Their deceptions eventually cross paths, leading to crises that threaten their romantic pursuits. Hailed as the first modern comedy in England, The Importance of Being Earnest remains Wilde's most famous work.