The Importance of Being Earnest (version 5)


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.5 stars; 14 reviews)

In this most popular of all Oscar Wilde’s plays, two fashionable bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, discover that each has been simplifying his social obligations via the use of a convenient false persona. Their comfortable white lies suddenly lead to chaos when romance enters the picture in the form of the lovely Gwendolyn Fairfax and the innocent Cecily Cardew. Hilarity ensues as the bachelors attempt to quickly untangle the web of their deceptions in order to win the lady of their choice and withstand the scrutiny of the formidable Lady Bracknell. - Summary by Kelly S. Taylor

Cast List
John Worthing, J.P. cavaet
Algernon Moncrieff Rob Marland
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D Algy Pug
Merriman Adrian Stephens
Lane, Manservant Alan Mapstone
Lady Bracknell Kelly S. Taylor
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Elise Dee
Cecily Cardew Jenn Broda
Miss Prism, Governess TriciaG
Stage Directions realisticspeakers (2 hr 11 min)

Chapters

ACT I 45:58 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
ACT II 53:43 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act III 31:38 Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Flawless Realization of the Characters


(4.5 stars)

Absolute perfection. There are many versions to be found on librivox; some with more professional editing, some with higher quality recording, even some with more qualified actors/actresses. None of them come close to the level of authenticity portrayed herein. Give it a listen. Oscar himself would be shouting at the phone "THIS, THIS IS WHAT I WAS WRITING! THIS IS WHAT I MEANT!"