The Importance of Being Earnest

27 November - 7 December 2025

Written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Seb Cumming

The Playhouse Theatre's award-winning Youth Theatre is proud to present The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s timeless comedy of manners, mistaken identities and witty one-liners.

It's a hilarious dig at Victorian ideas of class, marriage and the shallowness of polite society where appearance is everything.

Wilde’s characters are all intent on the pursuit of pleasure - from the charming John Worthing who escapes his country house responsibilities for the excitement of town by inventing a younger brother called Earnest, to his friend Algernon who evades his aunt’s demands by heading to the country to visit his nonexistent friend, Bunbury. 

Everything starts to unravel when John (Fen McIntosh) and Algernon (Rowan Metreyeon) fall in love with two determined young women, Gwendolin (Gracie Fagerlund) and Cecily (Ella Verberne) - both of whom believe they are engaged to Earnest Worthing.

Chaos ensues with the arrival of the formidable Lady Bracknell (Millabene Turnbull) - and why is she so interested in Cecily’s governess Miss Prism (Ruauri O’Malley-King)?

Watch the Crossing is the Playhouse's award-winning Youth Theatre bringing a fresh take on Wilde’s classic play. Join them for all the fun of disappearing cucumber sandwiches, double identities, love and romance... and a handbag.

Book online at www.theatretickets.co.nz/shows/playhouse