Wit, charm, and riotous comedy as The Importance of Being Earnest sets to dazzle at Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre Belfast from 31 May – 6 July
Table of Contents
Production Details
Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest – a riotous satire of Victorian manners, packed with razor-sharp dialogue, tangled romances, and plenty of mistaken identities – gets a fresh take at the Lyric Theatre Belfast from 31 May – 6 July. Directed by Jimmy Fay, this production promises to bring an original, energetic twist, while remaining faithful to Wilde’s classic brilliance.
This vibrant new production brings Wilde’s iconic characters, Jack (Adam Gillian), Algernon (Conor O’Donnell), Gwendolen (Meghan Tyler), Cecily (Calla Hughes Nic Aiodh), Miss Prism (Jo Donnelly), Rev Canon Chasuble (Marty Maguire), Merriman/Lane (Neil Keery), and the unforgettable Lady Bracknell (Allison Harding), to life on the Lyric’s main stage.
Follow the mischievous Jackand Algernonas they navigate secret identities, meddling aunts, and scandalously misplaced handbags, all in the pursuit of love and social standing. But as their carefully crafted lies unravel, chaos reign, leading to revelations as uproarious as they are unexpected.
The famous Irish playwright Oscar Wilde left an indelible mark on literature and theatre with his razor-sharp dialogue, flamboyant style, and fearless intellect. As we commemorate Wilde’s remarkable legacy, in the 125th anniversary year of his passing, The Importance of Being Earnest serves as both a celebration of his genius and a reminder of the enduring power of laughter, love, and language.
Director of The Importance of Being Earnest, Jimmy Fay, said:
“Oscar Wilde’s comedy is one of the most vibrant and sneakily subversive in the English language. The fact that this evergreen classic of English comedy was written by a Dubliner, educated at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, and accepted as a farce by the British ruling class is one of Wilde’s most audacious achievements. “The future is what artists are” Wilde once stated, and while more recent comedy plays have wilted and dated,
The Importance of Being Earnest still blooms in audiences’ hearts, not only as a comedy of manners but also as a haunting prediction of our ongoing obsessions with celebrities, glamour, pleasure and self-destruction. I am delighted the Lyric is producing Earnest again with this joyous cast of brilliant actors, designers and crew.”
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland commented:
“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support the Lyric Theatre and this classic production of The Importance of Being Earnest, one of many terrific shows on at the theatre this spring and summer. With such a talented cast led by director Jimmy Fay, this production promises to be unmissable, and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy!”
For Lyric booking details visitThe Importance Of Being Earnest | Lyric Theatre Belfast
Follow the Lyric on X, Instagram and Facebook @LyricBelfast
Production Photographs
Creative Team
WRITER Oscar Wilde
DIRECTOR Jimmy Fay
SET DESIGNER Stuart Marshall
LIGHTING DESINGER Mary Tumelty
COSTUME DESIGNER Catherine Kodicek
COMPOSER AND SOUND DESIGNER Garth McConaghie
AUDIO VISUAL DESIGNER Neil O’Driscoll
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Debra Hill
Cast
Adam Gillian John ‘Jack’ Worthing
Conor O’Donnell Algernon ‘Algy’Moncrieff
Jo Donnelly Miss Prism
Allison Harding Lady Bracknell
Calla Hughes Nic Aiodh Cecily Cardew
Meghan Tyler Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Neil Keery Merriman / Lane
Marty Maguire Rev Canon Chasuble
The Importance of Afternoon Tea at The Harrison!
To celebrate the launch of The Lyric Theatre’s upcoming production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, we were delighted to have attended a delicious afternoon tea at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction.
The event was sponsored by Shortcross Gin and The Harrison, where we enjoyed a specially created signature cocktail, the Fairfax Fizz, using Shortcross “Rosie’s Garden” Pink Gin.
Then director Jimmy Fay chatted to us about his vision for the production, and replete with cucumber sandwiches and cake (no bread and butter!) we headed up to the theatre for an exclusive behind the scenes tour, where we had a sneak peek at the rehearsal rooms, set and costume designs, technicals, the breathtaking staging, and last but not least, “a handbaaaag!”
It was a delight to meet, explore, and experience what makes the Lyric, and The Importance of Being Earnest, so special. We are so looking forward to this fantastic production.
Behind the Scenes
About the Lyric
The Lyric is a creative hub for theatre-making, a safe space for nurturing talent and embodies an unwavering passion for creating meaningful connections through theatre and the arts. We’ve always done things a little differently at the Lyric. From its beginnings in 1951 in the home of our founder Mary O’Malley, to its permanent home on Ridgeway Street in 1968, this special place has been a springboard for internationally acclaimed playwrights, poets and actors. As Northern Ireland’s premiere full-time theatre to produce its own productions from page to stage, we care deeply about maintaining a high-quality, diverse and inclusive programme that captures the imaginations of our audiences, leaving them changed, charged and empowered.
OUR MISSION:
We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society. Our mission is to create, entertain, and inspire.
