The Importance of Being Earnest (version 3)
Oscar Wilde
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is subtitled "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People," and has proved immensely popular since its first performance in 1895. The play certainly has its farcical and comic elements, such as the witty banter exchanged by the characters and the flippant attitude towards love and marriage that characterizes the action. However, the play also explores more serious themes through the central story of Jack Worthing's search for his identity. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)
Cast
John Worthing: Dublin Gothic
Algernon Moncrieff: John Fricker
Rev. Chasuble: Martin Geeson
Merriman: mb
Lane: Algy Pug
Lady Bracknell: Ruth Golding
Gwendolyn Fairfax: Elizabeth Klett
Cecily Cardew: Arielle Lipshaw
Miss Prism: Carol Box
Narrator: Tiffany Halla Colonna
Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett (2 hr 11 min)
Chapters
| Act 1 | 45:08 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Act 2 | 53:03 | Read by Algy Pug |
| Act 3 | 32:51 | Read by Ruth Golding |
Reviews
Humorous play, wonderfully read
A LibriVox Listener
A pleasure to listen. The play itself is entertaining and scratches quite a few of the complex issues of Victorian society: the threat of education to existing power structures, equality of women and men, the ramdomness of social standing, the lack of freedom to pick one's love interest, ... All of that without ever getting too dark or heavy. This reading and play is thus very suitable for a cozy evening read.
The best reading on LibriVox
Arsenii
It is truly the best reading of this play on LibriVox!
Well Done!
Hospitable Georgian
What a fabulous cast of readers for a great cast of characters! Well done!
I adore Oscar Wilde's work.
SamB
Brilliantly read, perfect cast. An enjoyable listen. Thank you. 😊
great
Megsy000
really enjoyed this play. a credit to librivox.
Charlotte
What a great play! And the reading does it justice. The narrator was a trifle annoying, sounds like Siri haha but each of the characters were dynamic and engaging to listen to. The rev reminds me of mr. Collins and the aunt reminds me of lady Catherine de burg for pride and prejudice lovers, which was a delight!
Superior acting - best version
A LibriVox Listener
Kudos to actors for bringing out the comedy in Earnest! Applause applause!
Anndem
Great story! The readers were really good. Funny, clear and easy to listen to.