The Importance of Being Earnest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Importance of Being Earnest
The first performance of The Importance of Being Earnest in 1895 with Allan Aynesworth as Algernon (left) and George Alexander as Jack (right)
Written by	Oscar Wilde
Date of premiere	1895
Place of premiere	St James's Theatre, London, England, UK
Original language	English
Genre	Comedy, farce
Setting	London and an estate in Hertfordshire

The Importance of Being Earnest is a very famous play written by Oscar Wilde. It was first shown to the public on February 14, 1895, at the St. James's Theatre in London. In this play, the main characters invent fake people to make their lives easier or more exciting.

The play is known for its funny and lighthearted way of looking at serious topics. It also makes fun of the strict rules and ways of life during the Victorian era in England. When the play first came out, everyone loved how funny it was. Some people wished it had stronger social messages, but many thought it was Oscar Wilde's best play ever. Today, it is still his most popular work.

About The Importance of Being Earnest

What is the Play About?

The story follows two young men who are trying to win over the women they love. To do this, they both pretend their name is Ernest. This leads to many funny mix-ups and misunderstandings.

The play is full of clever wordplay and jokes. Even the title itself is a pun. "Ernest" is a man's name, but "earnest" also means being serious, honest, and sincere. The play explores ideas about being honest, following social rules, and pretending to be someone you're not. However, it does all of this in a very humorous and light way.

Why is This Play Important?

The opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest was a huge success for Oscar Wilde. It was a high point in his career as a writer. However, soon after, Wilde faced some personal challenges. Because of these difficulties, the play, even though it was very popular, had to stop running after only 86 performances.

After this time, Oscar Wilde did not write any more comedies or plays. But The Importance of Being Earnest has been performed many times since it first opened. It has also been made into a movie three times: in 1952, 1992, and 2002. This shows how much people still enjoy and appreciate this classic play.

Images for kids

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  Oscar Wilde in 1889

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  Mrs George Canninge as Miss Prism and Evelyn Millard as Cecily Cardew in the first production

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  George Alexander in Act II (1909 revival)

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  Gwendolen and Cecily discover that they are both engaged to "Ernest"

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  Wilde, drawn in 1896 by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

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  Allan Aynesworth, Evelyn Millard, Irene Vanbrugh and George Alexander in the 1895 London premiere

See also

In Spanish: La importancia de llamarse Ernesto para niños