The importance of being earnest

Was First Performed on 14th February 1895at St James's theatre, London.


Plot


The play is based around two friends, Algernon and Jack and how they both take on the same identity as a man called Earnest. Jack falls in love with Algernon's cousin Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell (Gwendolen's mother) is being distracted by Algy (Algernon) whilst Jack proposes to Gwendolen (Gwen), however he proposes to her whilst he is under the identity of Earnest. Lady Bracknell then finds out and starts to interview Jack (or as she knows him as Earnest) but then denies the marriage as she finds out that Earnest was discovered in a handbag at Victoria Train Station. Knowing they they can't get married, Gwen still tells Earnest about her love for him.


Cecily (a student) then meets Algy who is also pretending to be Earnest. They then also fall in love and exchange address's. Gwen and Cecily both meet and tell each other babout how they have met a man called Earnest which then causes some questions that need to be answered ...