Jack Worthing leads a dual life, shuttling between a country manor and a city townhouse. In the countryside, he’s a respectable guardian to Cecily, while in the city, he assumes the persona of Ernest, a carefree bachelor. Only a select few know that Ernest isn’t real. The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde, exploring the misadventures in the manor. On stage at Titchfield Festival Theatre 25 – 29 June 2024.

Martha Austin is the director of The Importance of Being Earnest. Martha spoke to Simon Frost:

Simon: Why did you choose to direct The Importance of Being Earnest? What most appealed to you?

Martha: “I first fell in love with Oscar Wilde's writing when I saw a version of the Importance of Being Earnest while at university. The witty dialogue and potential for physical comedy immediately captivated me and it started a long love affair with Victorian social comedy, Oscar Wilde being at the heart of it. Wilde's masterful use of language is a treasure trove to any director and it has been a joy to explore his wordplay and epigrams in more depth.

Simon: The play is a classic example of a comedy of manners. How will you balance the witty dialogue and social satire with the physical humour and farcical elements of the play?

Martha: Physical comedy is hugely important to our staging of Earnest. From a chase around the living room, to a fist fight over some muffins, we have taken every opportunity to add in elements of physicality to help bring the words off the page. Although the two may initially seem antithetical, we have found that the addition of physical comedy in fact elevates the witty dialogue, highlighting often lost jokes and giving a stage to Wilde's clever metaphors and allusions.

Simon: The play hinges on characters leading double lives. How will you visually represent this duality on stage, perhaps through set design, costuming, or movement?

We are lucky enough to be performing The Importance of Being Earnest in the Arden Theatre, meaning we have access to fantastic staging equipment including the revolve. This is proving integral to our set changes, allowing Algernon's town house to be transformed into Jack's country pad by our fantastic back stage team. As well as being an efficient use of space, the symbolism between the two locations carries over, creating a beautifully cyclical feel to the play.

Simon: What do you think the key message of the play is? Is it about the importance of seriousness, or the importance of living a life true to oneself?

Martha: Quite the opposite! For me, it's all about the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, and letting life lead you in adventure. Wilde shows time and time again that not taking oneself too seriously and embracing a certain light-heartedness and flexibility in life can be more genuine and fulfilling than adhering to expected social conventions. The play delights in poking fun at those that stick to what society expects of them, and rewards those that live life with a sense of freedom and adventure, encouraging us to do the same.

Simon: The play was written in the 19th century. How and why will the play still resonate for a modern audience?

Martha: Despite being set over 100 years ago, audiences can still see themselves and their families in the characters on stage. From your overbearing aunt to your whimsical best friend, you can easily recognise the universal traits and dynamics Wilde has so perfectly captured. Although we are staging our performance in an authentic Victorian style, audiences can easily relate to the trials and misadventures of the characters, finding themselves wondering what they would do in such a situation.

Simon: Finally, why should people come along and watch the play?

Martha: The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterclass in ridiculous Victorian social norms, highlighting the equally ridiculous social rules we still live by today. Oscar Wilde’s brilliant dialogue and satirical portrayal of Victorian society's absurdities offer both entertainment and thought-provoking insights. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or simply enjoy a good laugh, this play promises an evening of laughter, reflection, and enduring charm.

Thank you, Martha.

The Importance of Being Earnest performs in the Arden Theatre at Titchfield Festival Theatre from 25 – 29 June 2024. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.