The Importance of
Being Earnest

April 16, 17, 18, and 23-24

One of the funniest and most charming plays ever written, The Importance of Being
Earnest features diamond-bright dialogue, ridiculous yet recognizable characters, and a
wildly improbable plot. Though not a farce per se, the script teems with classic farcical
elements—puns, innuendo, disguises, mistaken identities—that often teeter precariously
on the brink of genteel slapstick.

Yet beneath this frothy façade lurks a scathing critique of fin-de-siècle British society.
Wilde activates his rapier wit to mercilessly skewer the late Victorian obsession with
etiquette and appearances while simultaneously managing to craft a text that exudes
more warmth and decency that any of his other works for the stage. So much for being a
trivial play!

The action centers on Jack Worthing and Algernon Montcrieff, who are in love with Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew respectively, both women claiming to be madly in love with Ernest, whom neither of them has ever met. Stir into the mix the formidable busybody Lady Bracknell, an absent-minded governess, and a dubious story about a baby in a handbag and voila—the ultimate comedy of manners.

Click to view a map and directions to the Village Playhouse

Ticket Prices:
Adults: $8.00 in advance / $10.00 at the door
Students: 5.00 in advance / $6.00 at the door


Congratulations to our award winning shows from the One Acts 13 Festival!

Judge's Choice : The Grim Reaper
2nd Place : Cannoli or Else
3rd Place: Act Accordingly

People's Choice : The Grim Reaper
2nd Place : This Side Up
3rd Place: TIE - Cannoli or Else / Act Accordingly



For Best Prices... Advance tickets for all regular Village Players' productions are available at the following locations:

FATCAT BOOKS
123 Commercial in Paw Paw
269-657-BOOK (2665)
(Off Kalamazoo Street, near St. Julians Winery)

You can also reserve tickets by calling:269-657-PLAY (7529)
The PPVP line is a message only phone -please leave your name, number of tickets you'd like to reserve, and the night you will be attending, and we will have your tickets available at the box office the night of the show.