KEARNEY — The Kearney Community Theatre is presenting the show, “The Importance of Being Earnest” through early May.
“Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is a sharp-witted comedy of manners that satirizes Victorian society’s obsession with appearances, status, and propriety. The story follows two charming bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who each lead double lives to escape social obligations,” according to the Kearney Community Theatre (KCT) website.
“Jack, known as “Ernest” in the city, wishes to marry the elegant Gwendolen Fairfax, while Algernon, intrigued by Jack’s secret country life, adopts the name “Ernest” himself to woo Jack’s ward, the spirited Cecily Cardew. Chaos erupts when their deceptions collide, leading to mistaken identities, witty misunderstandings, and a series of outrageous revelations,” per KCT.
“With its razor-sharp dialogue and clever twists, The Importance of Being Earnest remains one of the funniest and most beloved plays in English literature—a timeless satire of love, identity, and the absurdity of social conventions,” KCT stated.
The show times are May 2-3 and May 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays May 4 and May 11 at 2:30 p.m.
The play, celebrated for its wit and repartee, parodies contemporary dramatic norms, gently satirises late Victorian manners, and introduces – in addition to the two pairs of young lovers – the formidable Lady Bracknell, the fussy governess Miss Prism and the benign and scholarly Canon Chasuble. Contemporary reviews in Britain and overseas praised the play’s humor, although some critics had reservations about its lack of social messages.
