State Theatre Company and Envestra Present Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, 25 July - 16 August

To warm up the winter, State Theatre Company is staging a brand new production of one of the world's wittiest plays. Oscar Wilde's brilliant and much-loved comedy of love, manners and mistaken identity - The Importance of Being Earnest has been delighting audiences for over 100 years, and this staging will see great dame of Australian theatre Nancye Hayes star alongside Adelaide's hilarious Nathan O'Keefe.

Set within the stifling conventions of Victorian England, two young bachelors have taken to bending the rules and the truth to add a dash of excitement to their lives. Jack invents a brother Ernest as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind so that he may pursue Gwendolen, the delectable daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell. Across town, Algernon decides to take the name Ernest, when visiting Jack's young ward Cecily. When each gentleman is forced to unwind his web of lies and reveal himself - being "earnest" takes on a whole new meaning!

Australian theatre's living legend Nancye Hayes OAM (Metro Street) returns to State Theatre Company to bring the formidable and acidic Lady Bracknell to life. One of Australia's favourite theatrical stars, Hayes began her career in the original Australian production of My Fair Lady in 1961 and continues to garner praise and accolades to the present day. She has had major roles in Annie, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Nine, 42nd Street and Show Boat. Amongst her many awards are a Helpmann Award, Green Room Award, Norman Kessell Memorial Award, three Lifetime Achievement Awards, a Critics Circle Award and a MO Award.

Joining Hayes onstage is the elastic Nathan O'Keefe, most recently seen in State Theatre Company productions The Comedy of Errors and Hedda Gabler. O'Keefe will delight audiences with his portrayal of Algernon, a young bachelor not yet in his thirties living the aristocratic life of a Victorian gentleman with a rapier sharp wit.

State Theatre Company Artistic Director Geordie Brookman said "To bring together an actor of Nancye's stature with a bright, young star like Nathan in such an absurdly funny play was an irresistible opportunity. The production will be both sumptuous and anarchic, combining all of Wilde's wit with Nathan's brilliant physical comedy skills."

Following the Adelaide season, the production will tour to Canberra (19th - 23rd August), Geelong 28th - 30th August) and Wollongong 2nd - 6th September).

"The most perfect high comedy in the English language" - The Telegraph

DIRECTOR: Geordie Brookman

DESIGNER: Ailsa Paterson

CAST INCLUDES: Lucy Fry, Nancye Hayes, Caroline Mignone, Nathan O'Keefe, Yalin Ozucelik, Anna Steen & Rory Walker.

For more information, visit http://www.statetheatrecompany.com.au/home/whatson/shows2014/earnest/.

To post a comment, you must register and login.