2008 Woodie Awards
National Players presentclassic comedy
Cathrine Hyland
Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: Arts
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The National Players will present Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" Wed., March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stocker Arts Center on the Lorain County Community College campus.
Anyone new to or familiar with British comedy will want to prepare their ears for a treat, as the players act out this delicious romp with the English language. This classic play is still recognized as one of the wittiest comedies presented in the English language since its first showing on Feb. 14, 1895 in London.
Set in the late 1890's, at a time when one's social class and wealth dictated everything and marriages were still arranged. Imagine two men in love with two women. And, both women set on marrying someone named Earnest.
First there is John (Jack) Worthing, an upper-class wealthy gentleman of uncertain beginnings. As a baby, he was abandoned and taken in by an old man. The old man raised him and subsequently made him guardian to his granddaughter, Cecily Cardew.
Then there is Algernon Moncrieff, or Algie, as he's called, a young man of aristocratic birth but is dependent on his wealthy aunt, Lady Katherine.
Both of the young men lead a double life. In Hertfordshire, John is known as Jack, a responsible and respected man with an irresponsible brother, Ernest, living in London, who he must attend to often. In London, Jack is known as Ernest.
Algie, on the other hand, invents a fictional friend, "Bunbury," an invalid whose sudden relapses gives Algie an excuse to not participate in any unpleasant or boring social obligations.
Then there's Lady Katherine's daughter, the fair Gwendolyn, cousin to Algie, and the object of Jack's affections. John, introduced to Gwendolyn as Ernest, proposes to Gwendolyn who agrees to the match, but the match is entirely dependant on Lady Katherine's approval. Through a twist of fate, Algie learns of Cecily, and assumes the persona of Ernest, to meet John's ward. A defiant but determined Gwendolyn escapes from her dominating mother and arrives at John's country home looking for Ernest.
Anyone new to or familiar with British comedy will want to prepare their ears for a treat, as the players act out this delicious romp with the English language. This classic play is still recognized as one of the wittiest comedies presented in the English language since its first showing on Feb. 14, 1895 in London.
Set in the late 1890's, at a time when one's social class and wealth dictated everything and marriages were still arranged. Imagine two men in love with two women. And, both women set on marrying someone named Earnest.
First there is John (Jack) Worthing, an upper-class wealthy gentleman of uncertain beginnings. As a baby, he was abandoned and taken in by an old man. The old man raised him and subsequently made him guardian to his granddaughter, Cecily Cardew.
Then there is Algernon Moncrieff, or Algie, as he's called, a young man of aristocratic birth but is dependent on his wealthy aunt, Lady Katherine.
Both of the young men lead a double life. In Hertfordshire, John is known as Jack, a responsible and respected man with an irresponsible brother, Ernest, living in London, who he must attend to often. In London, Jack is known as Ernest.
Algie, on the other hand, invents a fictional friend, "Bunbury," an invalid whose sudden relapses gives Algie an excuse to not participate in any unpleasant or boring social obligations.
Then there's Lady Katherine's daughter, the fair Gwendolyn, cousin to Algie, and the object of Jack's affections. John, introduced to Gwendolyn as Ernest, proposes to Gwendolyn who agrees to the match, but the match is entirely dependant on Lady Katherine's approval. Through a twist of fate, Algie learns of Cecily, and assumes the persona of Ernest, to meet John's ward. A defiant but determined Gwendolyn escapes from her dominating mother and arrives at John's country home looking for Ernest.
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