Two Gents Productions and Tara Arts are delighted to present their co-production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest which has its London Premiere at Tara Theatre from 27 February- 16 March 2019.
The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s classic, witty and laugh out loud comedy of mistaken identities, confusion and cucumber sandwiches. On the surface it’s a light, fluffy jibe at the nonsensicalness of the rich and upper class. At a deeper level, it is also a profound plea for sincerity and caring in the face of adversity.
This new production showcases Oscar Wilde’s play as you have never seen it before. Imagining a thoroughly diverse and integrated English society, two British-African women Ayesha Casely-Hayford and Kudzanayi Chiwawa play all the characters and bring to life this 19th century comedy of manners in an at once mocking and lovingly playful tone. Embracing wild wit, deft humour, role swapping and banter with the audience, they unfurl a riot of love, confusion and high jinks.
The show’s directors Tonderai Munyevu and Arne Pohlmeier said: “The Importance of Being Earnest is a good night out at the theatre – quick witted dialogue, over the top posh-ness, mistaken identities, handbags and cucumber sandwiches. Underneath, however, there is also a tense drama about identity, social anxiety and the need to belong. We have chosen to amp up both aspects with only two actors playing all of the parts and tapping into their own experience as migrants and as women to bring a rich, nuanced approach to Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece.”
