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The Importance of Being Earnest cover art

The Importance of Being Earnest

By: Oscar Wilde
Narrated by: James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, Neil Dickson, Jill Gascoine, Christopher Neame, Matthew Wolf
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Summary

This final play from the pen of Oscar Wilde is a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, complete with assumed names, mistaken lovers, and a lost handbag. Jack and Algernon are best friends, both wooing ladies who think their names are Ernest, "that name which inspires absolute confidence". Wilde's effervescent wit, scathing social satire, and high farce make this one of the most cherished plays in the English language.

Includes an interview with director Michael Hackett, professor of Theater in the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA.

An L.A. Theatre Works full cast performance featuring:
James Marsters as Jack
Charles Busch as Lady Bracknell
Emily Bergl as Cecily
Neil Dickson as Lane and Merriman
Jill Gascoine as Miss Prism
Christopher Neame as Chasuble
Matthew Wolf as Algernon
Sarah Zimmerman as Gwendolen

Directed by Michael Hackett. Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles.

©2009 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2009 L.A. Theatre Works

What listeners say about The Importance of Being Earnest

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A brilliant audio Adaptation

This play has been brilliantly adapted as an Audio piece.
Previous reviews have remarked that this is a recording of the theatrical play, this is incorrect, while it was recorded in front of a live audience it was directed more inline with a Radio play, this allows the listener to be more connected to the play, hearing others laugh when they laugh. There are additional lines for the characters to help set scenes or describe character actions in order for the listener to appreciate Wilde's vision.
The quick satirical wit of Oscar Wilde is wonderfully portrayed by the actors, as a brit I did have some concerns about the accents before purchasing, but these were completely unfounded.
This is a fantastic piece of work from the LA Theatre Works.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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laughter all round

absolutely cracking!! hilarious and perfectly read! Lovely ending and an easy listen that takes very little time.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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I tried

Despite trying several times, I simply could not get into this performance. Disappointing because I've heard such amazing things about Wilde.

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