The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and The Dukes, Lancaster have today announced that they will co-produce a digital adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.
Adapted for the digital medium by Yasmeen Khan and directed by Mina Anwar, the production will transpose the original narrative of Wilde’s play to the cobbles and stone walls of the north and follows the story of struggling actor Jamil and rom-com star Algy, who come together in the pursuit of love, being true to yourself and Nando’s.
The Importance of Being Earnest will be captured on location at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and The Dukes in Lancaster, and is set to push the theatrical form combining traditional theatrical techniques with film and radio play.
Yasmeen Khan, writer of The Importance of Being Earnest comments: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to run riot with an adaptation of a classic Oscar Wilde comedy, giving it a very modern twist and a new setting. This is Earnest as it’s never been seen before. Having northern roots, myself, collaborating on such a uniquely northern production is a joy.”
The digital co-production will run from Monday 19 April until Tuesday 4 May and brings together a northern creative team, including writer and broadcaster Yasmeen Khan, and actor/director Mina Anwar, best known for her roles in the original production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Doctor Who and Shameless.
Henry Filloux-Bennett, Artistic Director and CEO of the Lawrence Batley Theatre and Karen O’Neil, Director of The Dukes said of the co-production: “We are so excited to be able to collaborate on this brand-new production. The Lawrence Batley Theatre and The Dukes first collaborated last summer when we launched the Charlotte Holmes Adventure Box which has now been enjoyed by thousands of young people across the globe. To be able to work together once more with such an incredible northern creative team, means we can continue to spread the joy of theatre with our communities and beyond.”
Tickets are available from importanceofbeingearnest.com with audience members receiving a link at the point of booking which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period.
