The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized)

By: Oscar Wilde

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

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.

Public Domain (P)2009 L.A. Theatre Works

A wonderful production of a great play!

I found it impossible not to laugh out loud while listening to this witty comedy of manners. I've seen the play many times, but have never seen a production more enjoyable than listening to this performance. Bravo!

Giggling while reading

I read this from my computer at work and could often be heard giggling. I truly had no idea how it was going to end, right up until it did. Highly recommend!

This was entertaining - very well done!

This was entertaining and very well done. I enjoyed the small bouts of audience reaction.

Delightful

Any additional comments?

Although I've seen the movie, I'd never read - or listened to - the original play, so I was excited when I came across this audiobook performance on Audible. It didn't disappoint. I loved the story of mistaken identities, long-lost family and rich people's shenanigans, and the characters were all charming and endearing in their own way. The language is obviously gorgeous and witty, and it was brilliantly delivered by the actors in this edition. It all flowed really well and was just a delight to listen to.

I laughed and laughed

Best thing I have listened to in a long long time . Great job. Have recommend it to many others

What a treat!

I love the play but this audio version was an absolute delight! A perfect way to spend an hour. I laughed out loud so many times I'm glad I was home 😂

Thouroughly Enjoyable!

I had read this play many years ago, but never seen it performed. I admit, at the time, that I was not very impressed. This performance has changed my mind! This a truly funny play that had me laughing out loud at times, and Oscar Wilde has a wonderful sense for the absurd. The performance was very good, I can't resist James Marsters in a British accent (oh, and the others were good, too.)

Enjoyable listen

I love this play. The cast of this version was commendable, but not great. Plenty talented enough however, to make this a fun listen. The voices of the ensemble were for the most part, sufficiently distinct to follow the dialogue, though Marsters who played Ernest/Jack and the actor who played Algernon were a bit similar. It helped to be familiar with the play. What I say is whenever one has the chance to listen to or watch this silly and wonderful piece of satire, one should take it.

Enjoyable - especially liked discussion afterward

This was fun to listen to, but what was great too was the discussion afterward with the Professor of Theater who discussed Oscar Wilde, his work, his life, and how this play fit with society and people's ideas in that era.

Masterfully Funny

Oscar Wilde's only play the Importance of Being Earnest is humorous in its double talk, a brief and yet impactful blend. The actors perform wonderfully and is a lighthearted masterpiece.