The Importance of Being Earnest

Published - 07 February 2020, Friday

Video Credit : WILD RICE Official trailer: The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest now playing at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice #04-08 Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105 until Sunday 8 March - International Womens Day - may have been written in 1894, but this Oscar Wilde play remains a popular classic even to this day.

And who better to present this on stage than Wild Rice, one of Singapore's top professional theatre companies having clocked up a decade of performace excellence having first staged this popular production in 2009 with an all-male cast! Now that is brave for Singapore standard. Wild Rice certainly knew how to make their mark in the International stage.

“WILD RICE has grasped The Importance of Being Earnest with both hands, and performed it at its extravagant best.” – Limelight Magazine, Australia

“Strong camaraderie onstage with a peculiarly powerful mix of testosterone and coquettish teasing…” – The Straits Times

“Visually ravishing and extremely compelling” – The Business Times

A sparkling satire that was uniquely ahead of its time, the story tackles the rigid societal expectations of Victorian society while spotlighting universal truths about the human condition.

The tale follows two friends who twist reality to boost their love life: Jack takes on the name Ernest when he’s in the city escaping the monotony of country life and courting Gwendolyn; meanwhile, his best friend Algernon also goes by Ernest in the country to get close to Jack’s ward, Cecily.

Clearly, things will get out of control when their duplicity is uncovered, revealing the true importance of being, well, earnest.

Reinvented for 2020, the award-winning comedy will be performed at Wild Rice’s intimate new space in Funan, with theatre and film director Glen Goei at the helm.

For an added, cheeky touch of irony, the cast once again features top male names in the local scene, including fab funny men Chua Enlai, Hossan Leong and Ivan Heng, the company’s artistic director.

With this line up audiences can expect top rated and fun-filled performances. With a sensational international cast, dressed to the nines by renowned fashion doyen Frederick Lee and accompanied live by The Concordia Quartet, The Importance of Being Earnest promises to lift your spirits with an evening of sparkling wit, laughter and love. - Strike a pose my dears!

Expat Choice strongly suggests catching this show. Performances began on Friday 7 February while the Gala Opening Night, attended by Singapore's dedicated theatre community and the local media is Saturday 8 February 2020.

Expect all that and more...

Enjoy!

Preview 7 Feb, 7.30pm

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, 7.30pm

Sat & Sun, 2.30pm

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Comments

Sylvia Fernandes

  • 386 comments
  • ELITE
RATED 8 / 8
Yet another outstanding performance by Wild Rice Theatre! If you are looking for a night of good entertainment book your ticket now to “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Playing at the Wild Rice Theatre on Level 4 of the newly renovated Funan Mall the theatre itself was a reminder of the stylish West End Theatres in London.

An unexpected and elegant addition to the play was the live performance by Concordia Quartet, who performed before every act began. For a lover of classical music such as I am, this was an additional treat to my senses.

From witty humour to the powerful use of language, superb expression on the part of the actors and a venue to be remembered, this was certainly an all-encompassing brilliant night….one that fed my heart to the hilt!

Costumes too were simple yet stunning – sharp as it were!

A not-to-be-missed production, I would highly recommend that you book your tickets as soon as possible. In the usual fashion of Wild Rice productions, this one will probably sell out fast too.

Playing till the 8 March except for Mondays, this is a worthy way to spend an evening. I came out at the end of the play feeling electrified and completely chilled from a tremendous few hours of elegant entertainment.

Hot Find

  • 491 comments
  • CONNOISSEUR
RATED 8 / 8
Two romeos bend the truth to spice up their love lives. Jack has invented a brother, Ernest, whom he uses to escape his dull country life and to woo the ravishing Gwendolyn.

His best friend, Algernon, also decides to take the name ‘Ernest’ to cosy up to Jack’s beautiful ward, Cecily, in the country. But things spin hilariously out of control when their deceptions are discovered, threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the world’s most popular comedies, boasting some of the funniest lines in the English language.

In WILD RICE’s award-winning production, celebrated theatre and film director Glen Goei puts a joyous spin on this comic masterpiece by casting an all-male ensemble – revealing fresh insights into this classic tale about courtship, hidden identities and the foibles of high society.

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