The Importance of Being Earnest

By: Oscar Wilde

Narrated by: Ensemble Cast

Jack Worthington has invented a rakish brother, Ernest, who calls Jack away from family duties and gives him an excuse to travel to London. Similarly, Algernon Moncrieff has created the persona of Bunbury, an invalid friend, who periodically requires his services in the country. Both young men cleverly use their invented alter egos to disguise their misdemeanors until Jack discovers that Algernon has been impersonating Ernest, to woo Jack's young ward, Cicely. To make things just a bit more complicated, Algernon's cousin Gwendolyn loves Jack, but thinks Jack's name is Ernest. This enduring comedy of manners rises on a farcical crescendo until true identies are revealed and both couples end up happily united.© 2002 HighBridge Company; (P) 1997 Penguin Books Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Oscar Wilde's most famous and - posthumously - successful play." (The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde)

Yummy, fast 'read'

This is "Masterpiece Theater" minus the TV. Crisp, delicious dialogue. No plain ol' narration here - the multiple voices do the play justice. You'll be hooked.

Refreshing

Very nice story for any age. Listening to it made it more attractive that reading. It was just perfect for a weekend listen.

Leave off the Stage Directions!

You know the material is funny and biting enough to make you cry. But darn-it, the stage directions distract without adding value. There are maybe *two* places where we need to be told someone is entering or leaving. The rest is really obvious from what the characters say OR could be made obvious through a touch of audio staging (door or walking sounds, for example). The intrusion of the superfluous narrator just ruined this one for me.

Great story

This was a very enjoyable listen. I'd never heard this story before, and it was great. I thought the voice acting was well done. I would recommend!

Delectable and timeless

Wilde's one-liners come to life in a crisp, fast-paced recording. The cast renders the characters in a truly delightful manner. A most entertaining piece of audio.