The Importance of Being Earnest is a glorious comedy of mistaken identity, which ridicules codes of propriety and etiquette. Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities - not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.
Each jewel of wit is polished apple-bright, and every performer is playing in the same key. Forget literary interpretation, forget clenched internal acting: There's great damned musicianship here, and the joy of sheer comic virtuosity. For this we must thank, again, Brian Bedford, who pulls off actor-director double duty with uncommon grace.
This results in a brilliant performance that is just as hilarious as it is utterly convincing. Those who forget to read the Playbill might not even realize that the role is being played by a man, which is perhaps the greatest compliment that Bedford can receive.
1895 | Broadway |
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1902 | Broadway |
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1910 | Broadway |
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1921 | Broadway |
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1926 | Broadway |
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1939 | Broadway |
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1947 | Broadway |
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1977 | Broadway |
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1985 | Off-Broadway |
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1996 | Off-Broadway |
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2002 | Off-Broadway |
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2003 | Off-Broadway |
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2008 | Off-Broadway |
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2011 | Broadway |
Roundabout Revival Broadway |
2012 | West End |
Old Red Lion Theatre Production West End Transfer West End |
2015 | West End |
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2018 | West End |
West End Production West End |
2022 | West End |
West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Revival of a Play | The Importance of Being Earnest |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Desmond Heeley |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Brian Bedford |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | 0 |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Desmond Heeley |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Brian Bedford |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | 0 |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Set Design | Desmond Heeley |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Desmond Heeley |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play | Brian Bedford |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Roundabout Theatre Company |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Todd Haimes |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Harold Wolpert |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Julia C. Levy |
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