This lighthearted play tells the farcical tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Montcrieff--two men who falsely claim to be named Ernest when they fall in love with two women whose affections are illogically but irrevocably tied to the name.

The Importance of Being Earnest was popular upon its debut in 1895, but the reputation of Oscar Wilde's works declined when he was imprisoned for accusations of homosexual behaviour.