Simley Theatre Guild to Stage “The Importance of Being Earnest" as Fall Production

Star-crossed love, mistaken identities and serious comic complications
—that’s what the audience is in store for according to Simley Theatre Guild
director Rudd Rayfield when asked to describe the guild’s latest production,
Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The play is centered on two young upper-class Victorian gentlemen, one of whom pretends to have a ne’er-do-well brother living in London. The other, who lives in London, pretends to have a permanent invalid friend who lives in the countryside. Both use their fictitious friends as an excuse to travel to their imaginary residences—and on the way, Rayfield explains, complications arise. The fiancées of both fall in love with the imaginary ne’er-do-well brother, Earnest, and somewhere along the way there’s even a baby abandoned in a handbag.

The play, Rayfield said, "is hard to describe simply, because it is so complicated"—which is part of the reason the play is so unique. That, and “Oscar Wilde’s very clever and witty dialogue,” Rayfield said.

Rayfield chose to stage the play particularly for the strong female characters, but also because the play continues to be popular and funny.

Oscar Wilde himself described the play as a “trivial play for serious people” and Simley student cast members recognize this and cite the humor and dialogue as their favorite part of the production.

Sophomore Vince Carey likes that the production is basically a “giant flirtatious affair,” while senior Hannah Forrest enjoys the dialogue and humor—even if it is, at times, tough to understand.

The complicated storyline involving imaginary characters is also a favorite amongst cast members.

“I think it’s funny how everybody loves somebody—but not everyone is real in the story,” said junior Ben Robinette.

"Deep down they do have this hidden side that’s really funny and you kind of fall in love with them," freshman Dana Baehman said of the play's characters. "They’re just really bizarre people in general, and when you put them together, they just make a mess.”

The public can watch the hilarity ensue at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10; 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 or Saturday, Nov. 12; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. All shows will be held at Simley High School. Premium seating (front and center) is $12, adult ticket prices are $10, senior and student prices are $7 and children 12 and under are $5.