The Importance of Being Earnest

I never travel without my diary, says the sheltered and beautiful young maiden. "One should always have something sensational to read on the train." With this play, which premiered in 1895, Oscar Wilde established a uniquely British style of verbal stage humor. One could say with justification that it is one of the funniest plays in the English language. Or, because plays are (in a sense) rewritten every time they're performed, potentially so. The radio production heard here realizes that potential in spades. A young John Gielgud takes the lead, while Dame Edith Evans steals the show as the imperious Lady Bracknell, a role for which she was famous in her lifetime. That today's American listeners won't recognize the names of the other cast members doesn't mean they're any less capable. The entire ensemble shines. The timing! The gusto! The sense of fun! This reviewer has heard every audio recording of EARNEST; this is by far the best of them all. Overlook the bad sound quality and you'll be richly rewarded. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Shaun MacLaughlin's direction of this Wilde play strives for an effective dramatic reading, rather than a fully realized radio-drama production with sound effects and atmospheric music.The production uses a narrator (Michael Drew) to read the stage directions. Such directorial emphasis calls attention to Wilde's brilliant dialogue and the strong performances. In THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, one of the most celebrated of all stage comedies, a faster pace helps Greg Wise and Richard Pearce sound young and carefree as they concoct witty deceptions to pursue their sweethearts. Wilde's comic attack on the shams of superficial earnestness in late-Victorian society finds rich expression in Miriam Margolyes's comically formidable Lady Bracknell. She plays the role slightly less broadly than Edith Evans did in the old Angel recording, and her performance keeps with MacLaughlin's subtle approach to Wilde's comedy of manners. G.H. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Two amorous young gentlemen, objects of their affection who are in love with the name "Ernest," the world's most formidable aunt, a dotty governess, and a dull-witted country parson--these are perhaps the most feckless, unconsciously witty, and uproarious characters ever to grace a stage. A tour de force of wit and irony, Oscar Wilde's most enduring and influential play enjoys frequent, if not always expert, revival. Witness this BBC recording in which an attempt to mitigate the comedy's age with a contemporary style succeeds only in sucking out much of the energy, personality, and fun. There are still laughs, but for the fullest flavor possible in an audio recording, this reviewer prefers the incomparable 1947 version, with Sir John Gielgud and Dame Edith Evans, re-released in 2005 by Naxos. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Wilde's famous and hilarious send-up of Victorian courtship is beautifully realized by L.A. Theatre Works' talented cast. The dialogue is quick and snappy--exactly as it should be. Listeners will still be giggling at one joke as the next sails by. James Marsters plays the clever devil-may-care Jack (sometimes Earnest) with energy and wit, and Matthew Wolf's Algernon (also sometimes Earnest) is spot-on--neurotic, loving, and yearning to be both adventurous and responsible. A special mention goes to Charles Busch for his laugh-out-loud portrayal of Lady Bracknell. The acting and staging are clear and effective, and while nothing can replace actually watching Wilde's play in person, this production is a close second to the live event. A.H.A. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

What is arguably Oscar Wilde's most popular work has stood the test of time as a classic comedy. In this new audio edition, narrators James Warwick and Alison Larkin take on the roles of all nine characters. Both performers expertly create unique personalities for all the roles, showing the extent of their talents. Even with only two actors at work, it's nearly impossible to confuse the characters except where Wilde intends. As the characters indulge in high jinks, Warwick and Larkin are a delightful combination--for both listeners familiar with the story and newcomers. Get ready to listen and laugh as Wilde's classic comedy comes to life once more. A.G.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine