Dartmouth Players are now just four weeks away from their performance of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The Importance of Being Earnest is possibly the best known of Oscar Wilde’s comedies. Set in 1895 it’s the story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives.

They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure.

The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage.

Bill Hunt, Dartmouth Players, said: “We are presenting this as an ‘age and gender fluid’ production. In other words, men are playing women and visa-versa plus most of the cast are more advanced in years than would normally be the case.

“We hit on this idea for several reasons. Firstly this was Oscar Wilde’s last comedy before he was imprisoned and it seemed appropriate to break down the gender issue. Interestingly this approach is being used a lot at present on the professional stage, giving a wider choice of parts for women.

“Secondly we had a group of very experienced actors who could carry this off. In fact everyone has worked very hard and it is set to be a first rate production.

“Lin and myself are both in the play as well as joint directing. I am playing Lady Bracknell and Lin is playing Cecily Cardew. Playing Lady Bracknell always presents the issue of how to present the famous handbag line.

“Audiences almost expect you to do it the Edith Evans way and may be disappointed if you don’t. On the other hand, you can be accused of copying. We have hopefully got over this by planning to invite the audience to say it instead. So come along and be Lady Bracknell for an instant!”.

Dartmouth Players will be performing The Importance of Being Earnest on Friday, May 26, and Saturday, May 27, at the Flavel in Dartmouth.

For the full cast list, video and ticket link, visit: www.dartmouthplayers.org.uk/the-importance-of-being-earnest.html