Importance of Being Earnest at SHS This Weekend

Wilma Kenny | May 06, 2010

An experienced group of actors who work beautifully together, are performing a three-night run of The Importance of Being Earnest at Sydenham High this weekend. This last and best of Oscar Wilde’s plays is full of biting humour, poking fun at marriage, social hypocrisy, and rural life: “When one is in town, one amuses oneself: when one is in the country, one amuses other people.”

It’s the story of two young men living double lives of respectability, spiced with wild weekends in the city. Eventually, of course, their dual identities catch up with both of them in a fast-paced, very funny melodrama of confused identities and furious fiancées. There is a young heroine hoping to find a man who needs reforming, a governess with a shady past, and an elderly aunt who’s determined to uphold the family reputation at all costs (almost).

“Most of this group has performed together for several years, and they’re outstanding,” says Director Dan Raponi, “It’s a shame we can’t reward them with larger audiences.”

For most of them it’s their last year at SHS.

Earnest is playing this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 6, 7& 8, at SHS. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00.